Two projects that go hand

in hand are the Pet Por-

traits and the Animal Ser-

vices Supporters Club.

Ms. Linda Brodowsky

has prior training at the

Ringling School of Art

and specializes in still

life's, sea-scapes and ani-

mals. She will paint a

portrait of your pet when

a donations is made to

animal services.

A portrait of a pet will be

painted as a 8X10 or 12 X

16 dependant on the do-

nation made.

Donations of $100 will

warrant an 8X10 & dona-

tions of $150 or more will

warrant a 12 X 16. A

photo must be provided to

work from.

Desoto County Animal

Services Supporters Club

are persons who have

donated $100 or more to

Animal Services.

The club has 3 catego-

ries. Silver ($100 to

$249), Gold ($250 to

$499) and Diamond

($500 and over). New

members are listed in

the newsletter in the

month they join.

December 2013-Gold

Pat & Banjo Schudel

December 2013-Silver

William Gatcomb

Brenda Gatcomb

PET PORTRAITS Page 1

Pet Portraits Most Common Cat Illnesses 1

Funny Facts Puzzle Page 2

Ann’s Adoption Page 3

News Bites 4

Ann’s Adoption Page (cont) Dangerous Dogs 5

Supervisor’s Corner Puzzle Answers 6

For Your Information 7

Inside this issue: Page

DECEMBER 2013

Animal People 8

Pets Best Insurance has determined the 5 most common cat illnesses as cited

by clients, were chronic kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, allergies, cancer

and diabetes. Pets Best insurance company is based in Boise Idaho. Claims

for these illnesses represented 30% of the company’s total claims for cats

nationwide.

Tallest Dog

Passes Away

Felix Says

Page 9

Page 2

FUNNY FACTS

DE S OT O COU NT Y A NI MA L S ERVI CES

A GOOD LAUGH!

1) A man takes his Rottweiler to the vet to see if anything can be done for it as it is crossed-eyed. “O.K.”, says the vet,

“lets have a look.” He picks the dog up and examines it’s teeth, eyes & ears. “I’m going to have to put him down”,

the vet says. The owner is very upset and asks why “Surely not because he is crossed-eyed?” The vet answers, “No,

because he’s heavy!”

2) A blind man walks into a store with his seeing-eye dog. He stops and picks up the dog and starts swinging the dog

around & around over his head. The store manager sees this and runs up to the man and asks, “What are you DO-

ING?” The man replies, “Just looking around.”

3) The data center of the future will consist of 2 individuals, a man and a dog. The man’s job will be to feed & care for

the dog, the dog’s job will be to make sure the man does not touch the computer.

4) Family court had convened to hear the case of the 3 bears where Mama & Papa bear were accused of child abuse.

After hearing all the testimony the judge asked Baby bear if he would like to live with Papa bear. “No because he

beats me”, he answered. He was then asked if he would like to live with Mama bear. “No because she beats me”, he

answered again. “Who would you like to live with?” the judge asks. Baby bear replied, “The Chicago Bears! They

don’t beat anyone.”

5) A policeman caught a young boy with a pen knife in one hand and a squirrel being held by the tail in the other. The

police man says, “ Now listen here, whatever you do to that poor defenseless creature, I will do to you!”

“In that case,” the boy said, “I'll kiss it’s butt and let it go!”

6) What goes “Tick tock woof woof? A watchdog.

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

9)

10)

11)

12)

MINXI 12/3/13 MUFFIE 12/3/13 11.079 12/9/13

11.095 12/9/13 SASSY 12/12/13 COCO 12/11/13

ZARA 12/10/13 MISSY 12/17/13 OZ 12/17/13

LATTE 12/17/13 AZURE 12/17/13 CHICA 12/17/13

Page 3

ANN’S ADOPTION PAGE

DE S OT O COU NT Y A NI MA L S ERVI CES

S E PT EM BE R 20 13

NEWS BITES

Hills Pet Nutrition has a mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between

people and their pets. Learn more about Science Diet & Prescription Diet pet foods at

HillsPet.com.

If you are a special needs person who may need to evacuate during a disaster, Desoto County Ani-

mal Services has a pet disaster shelter. The informational pamphlet and application for your pre-

registration can be acquired at Animal Services at 2048 N.E. McKay St.

Don’t forget the Disaster Volunteer Program. If interested, you can obtain the pamphlet and appli-

cation at Animal Services at 2048 N.E. McKay St or call 863-993-4855 for more information.

Daily volunteers are always welcome to walk dogs, play with the cats, clean pens, bathe animals,

file, sweep, dust and mop. Its never the same thing twice.

Be the first to hear about the pet of the week by tuning in to radio station 106.9 fm “The Bull” on

Wednesdays. Desoto County and Hardee County swap every other week on 106.9 fm at around

7:45 am.

Tours and activities can be scheduled at the Animal Services facility. School groups, classes, clubs

and activity centers can schedule a tour by calling 863-993-4855. Lectures and talks can also be

arranged to have an Animal Services representative come to you.

Donations of pet food and pet treats are always appreciated. Blankets, towels and small area rugs

are of great use as pet bedding. (No clothing items please) Special needs are a chain link play area

for the dogs.

Live humane traps are available for nuisance hard to capture animals. Cat, dog & chicken traps are

available for a deposit of $25. Upon return of the trap Desoto County will refund $20 by check

through the mail. The traps are available for 7 days which can be extended for another 7 days with

a simple phone call.

Desoto County Animal Services has a pet food bank to help feed pet of households that may be

struggling with hard economic times. Wet (canned) and dry cat and dog food are available accord-

ing to stocks on hand. 2 draws per year can be made per household. Supplies are limited.

Donation of a trailer to use for off-site events and for the safer and more efficient transport of pets,

cages and other equipment is needed. A tax credit can be obtained from the County for a donation

of this type.

Page 4

Page 5 DE S OT O COU NT Y A NI MA L S ERVI CES

DANGEROUS DOGS

Following is a listing of

dangerous dogs residing in

Desoto County, having

been so deemed by Florida

Statute 767.

“Lucas” a red neutered male

Shard Pei mix residing at

1518 Eucalyptus Ave.

“Spanky” a white unaltered

male American Bulldog with

a brindled patch on left eye

& part of left ear, residing at

3847 NW Valencia Ave.

“Chico” a red unaltered

male Mastiff/Bull Terrier

mix residing at 4460 Tulip

Dr.

“Harry” a black male unal-

tered Labrador/k9 mix re-

siding at 115 N. Osceola

Ave.

“Chico” a white & brown

unaltered male American

Bulldog/Pit Bull Terrier

mix residing at 2366 Snow

St.

“Rocky” a blue/gray &

white male intact Alapaha

Blueblood pit bull terrier

residing at 118 N Johnson

Ave.

Mr. Peabody 12/17/13 Elf 12/17/13 BUBBA 12/18/13 OZ 12/19/13

BOOMER 12/23/13 SCOTCH 12/26/13 SUGAR 12/26/13 TONY 12/23/13

SMILEY 12/26/13

SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 6

PUZZLE ANSWERS

SUPERVISOR’S CORNER

1) IN AND OUT

2) UP AND DOWN

3) HOT AND COLD

4) RIGHT AND WRONG

5) GOOD AND BAD

6) CAT AND DOG

7) RED WHITE AND BLUE

8) FIRST AND LAST

9) OVER AND UNDER

10) TIME AND TIME AGAIN

11) YES AND NO

12) STOP AND GO

A New Year is dawning and we here at Animal Services

are just like everyone else in that we have high hopes and

expectations for the coming months. There are so many

things we would love to see & do in the new year.

I am looking forward to our spring low cost vaccinations

in March. We always have a packed house and the team

really comes together for this event. With the help of Dr.

Pam & Ms Tracy from Animal Ark, we were able to vac-

cinate 99 animals in 3 hours last year. We could have

done more during the last hour but we ran out of vaccines

and had to close up 1 hour early. I am going to try to plan

for overflow this year.

Officer Brodowsky would love to see us host a Pet

Health Fair, which I think is a great idea. We are putting

together some ideas and will hash them out and let you

know in the future. I am thinking of paring it with our

yearly adopt-a-thon.

Officer Meredith would like for us to have a BBq and sell

the dinners for donations to Animal Services, as dona-

tions are what funds our vaccinations and other projects

we are trying to make available to our residents and the

pets they love.

Other things the staff has tossed around is a talent show

and a poker run. I think they would both be a great

amount of fun and raise awareness of where we are, who

we are and what we do and serve to raise funding

to offer more services to the community.

Our front lobby will be getting a make-over this

spring and in that frame of mind I would love to be

able to construct a separate building that is strictly

for adoptions which will serve the double purpose

of keeping our adoptable pets safer and healthier as

they would not be coming into contact with any of

our sick pets that are being treated. The only way I

see this being accomplished is through funds being

raised and donations. Some of these events if put

into action could be a great help towards this end.

I am a dreamer, can’t help it, it’s my nature. In my

dreams this is a totally different place. We have

already made great strides towards some of our

goals but I believe we are capable of so much

more. I am looking forward to the coming year and

many more besides.

Animal Services wishes everyone a safe and happy

New Year and pray all your expectations happen

for you.

Page 7 DE S OT O COU NT Y A NI MA L S ERVI CES

823.15 Dogs and cats released from animal shelters or animal control agencies; sterilization requirement. (1) The Legislature has determined that the importation of dogs and cats into, and the uncontrolled breeding of dogs and cats in, this state pose risks to the well-being of dogs and cats, the health of humans and animals, and the agricultural interests in this state. Importation of dogs and cats from outside the United States could result in the transmission of diseases that have been eradicated in the United States to dogs and cats, other animals, and humans living in this state. Uncontrolled breeding results in the birth of many more puppies and kittens than are needed to provide pet animals to new owners or to replace pet animals that have died or become lost. This leads to many dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens being unwanted, becoming strays and suffering privation and death, being impounded and destroyed at great expense to the community, and constituting a public nuisance and public health hazard. It is therefore declared to be the public policy of the state that every feasible means be used to reduce the incidence of birth of unneeded and unwanted puppies and kittens. Determining which programs result in improved adoption rates and in reduced euthanasia rates for animals in shelters and animal control agencies is crucial to this effort.(2)(a) Each public or private animal shelter, humane organization, or animal control agency operated by a humane organization or by a county, municipality, or other incorporated political subdivision, shall prepare and maintain the following records and make them available for public inspection and dissemination for the 3 preceding years. The following data will be available on a monthly basis commencing July 31, 2013:1 The total number of dogs and cats taken in by the animal shelter, humane organization, or animal control agency, divided into species, in the following categories: a. Surrendered by owner; b. Stray;

c. Impounded;

d. Confiscated;

e. Transferred from within Florida;

f. Transferred into or imported from out of the state; and

g. Born in shelter. Species other than domestic cats and domestic dogs should be recorded as “other.”

2. The disposition of all animals taken in by a public or private animal shelter, humane organization, or animal control agency

operated by a humane society or by a county, municipality, or other incorporated political subdivision, divided into species.

These data must include dispositions by: a. Adoption;

b. Reclamation by owner;

c. Death in kennel;

d. Euthanasia at the owner’s request

e. Transfer to another public or private animal shelter, humane organization, or animal control

agency operated by a humane society or by a county, municipality, or other incorporated political subdivision

f. Euthanasia;

g. Released in field/Trapped, Neutered, Released (TNR);

h. Lost in care/missing animals or records; and

i. Ending inventory/shelter count at end of the last day of the month.

3.(a) A public or private animal shelter, humane organization, or animal control agency operated by a humane society, or by a

county, municipality, or other incorporated political subdivision which routinely euthanizes dogs based on size or breed alone

must provide a written statement of such policy. Dogs euthanized due to breed, temperament, or size must be recorded and

included in the calculation of the total euthanasia percentage.

(b) Records of a public animal shelter, humane organization, or animal control agency operated by a humane society must be

made available to the public pursuant to provisions in chapter 119.(3) In furtherance of this policy, provision shall be made for

the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption from any public or private animal shelter or animal control

agency operated by a humane society or by a county, city, or other incorporated political subdivision, by either:

(a) Providing sterilization by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the animal; or

(b) Entering into a written agreement with the adopter or purchaser guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed within

30 days or prior to sexual maturity. The shelter or animal control agency shall require a sufficient deposit from the adopter or

purchaser, which deposit shall be refundable upon presentation to the shelter or animal control agency of written evidence by

the veterinarian performing the sterilization that the animal has been sterilized. The deposit or donation may be based upon

recommended guidelines established by the Florida Federation of Humane Societies. Failure by either party to comply with the provisions of this paragraph shall be a noncriminal violation as defined in s. 775.08(3), punishable by a fine, forfeiture, or other

civil penalty, and, in addition thereto, the deposit or donation shall be forfeited to the shelter or animal control agency. Any legal fees or court costs used for the enforcement of this paragraph are the responsibility of the adopter. Upon the request of a licensed veterinarian, and for a valid reason, the shelter or animal control agency shall extend the time limit within which the animal must be sterilized. (4) All costs of sterilization pursuant to this section shall be paid by the prospective adopter unless otherwise provided for by

ordinance of the local governing body, with respect to animal control agencies or shelters operated or subsidized by a unit of local government, or provided for by the humane society governing body, with respect to an animal control agency or shelter

operated solely by the humane society and not subsidized by public funds.History.—ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 80-87; s. 1, ch. 2013-32.

CoCo and Sassy (sisters) wished

for a home to grow up in where

they could be warm and safe

with lots of treats and tummy

rubs. Santa said he would get

right on it.

Bubba was so excited when his

turn came

all he

wanted to

do was visit

with Santa

& Mrs. Claus, but he finally told

them he wanted a yard for

Christmas.

mixes wanted the same thing, a

fur-ever home.

Chica

could

not wait

for her

turn to

tell her

Christ-

mas

wish for a warm sunny window

sill to lay in and plenty of toys to

play with.

One of our all time favorite

Animal People paid us a visit in

December. Mr. & Mrs. Claus

needed no introduction to the

pets in the ken-

nels!( Nor to the

staff)

Since Florida

weather is a little

hard on the rein-

deer, Santa & the

Mrs. used the

Florida sleigh and cut the rein-

deer some slack so they would

be fresh for that long ride that

was coming up soon.

Santa wanted to make sure he

personally got the wish lists for

all the pets so no one would be

left out. They were very eager to

let Santa know what they wished

for. Kitties and doggies alike

lined up for the

chance to sit on

Santa’s lap and

whisper their wishes

to him.

Latte had

been here the

longest so she

won the op-

tion to go

first and she wished for a new

home with other cats there to

play with.

Evenrud

wanted to

talk to

Mrs. Claus

as he

wished for

a nice lady to adopt him for

Christmas.

Azure and her son, both manx

far that

got.).

Zara

wanted her

own fluffy

bed and lots

of Milk Bones, a new collar and

leash and a family.

Mr. Peabody

wanted a big

porch and a

large yard

with lots of

shade trees,

sqeaky toys and a cat to chase.

Santa did tell him, he shouldn’t

chase the cat. (I don’t know how

Elf wanted to work for Santa but

was told the North Pole is a little

to cold for Chihuahuas so he

opted for a home with a big yard

and some toys and a new collar

complete with tags.

Page 8 NE WS LE TT ER TI T LE

Felix Says

SEPTEMBER 2013 Page 9

I am so looking forward to the coming year. Hopes are always high this time of the year and I guess I am no different than anybody

else. Mom has been sharing some of her hopes and dreams for this place, and I gotta’ say I sure hope we can get some of them ac-

complished.

I sure do want to see our spring time low cost vaccinations continue this year. It is almost a tradition now as we have been able to

have one in March for the last 3 years. We have 2 new people on staff now and hopefully by then they will be comfortable enough to

assist in this project and we will be able to provide this for the worthy pets of our community. The fall vaccinations were not offered

this year as we wanted to make sure our new people were not scared off by the great attendance these events produce. The one previ-

ously vaccinated 99 pets in 3 hours, so we are really moving when one of these events are happening.

I am praying donations of pet food pick up some in the coming weeks and months. Mom has temporally closed the pet food bank as

it runs strictly on donations and they have been low and the food bank has no food. I am a pampered pet (and I know it) but the

thought of a pet going hungry or being surrendered just for lack of money for food, hurts my heart.

So… Here’s hoping for a prosperous New Year filled with accomplishments and happiness, safety, joy, health and all the good

things that make life and the rest of the world go round. My only resolution this year is to pray that we are able to be a help where

needed, a strong arm for support, a kind and encouraging word at the right time and a sympathetic heart for the sad and hurting.

Just shy of his eighth birthday, Giant George has passed away. Cited in the Guinness Book of

World Records as the tallest dog, he stood 43 inches tall and held that record from 2010 to

2012. He lived in Tucson Arizona with his owners Dave & Christine Nasser. His death was re-

ported by Today.com