Helpful Resources

 

Safe Haven Humane Society is a community resource.  SHHS offers the opportunity for families seeking pets to find wonderful PETS seeking families through our adoption program. If you're not sure you are in the market for a new furball family member but would like to foster a cat or dog, Safe Haven is the place for you. We also want to help inform our community about things like spaying/neutering, microchipping, preventing heartworm and more.


ADOPT or FOSTER

You can be assured that a pet you adopt from Safe Haven will have been heart worm tested and on heartworm prevention and flea prevention as well as current on their vaccinations (for their age), spayed/neutered and all dogs are microchipped and that they've seen a vet to assess general health and estimate age. We don't adopt our cats to be indoor/outdoor but it doesn't mean that they couldn't also be microchipped if you choose to do so. Our adoption fees go to the treatments that each pet receives prior to leaving as well as some of our pets that are injured or ill (like heartworm treatment).  


FOOD BANK 

 

We want to help our community with their pets in times of need. If you need assistance getting food for your pet please call or email Safe Haven and see if we can help you during your time of unemployment.


SPAY OR NEUTER--"don't litter" 

Safe Haven Humane Society is very committed to reducing the number of unwanted pets in shelters, which is why we are so  passionate about spaying and neutering all pets prior to placing them in new homes. We love puppies and kittens, but there are just too many of them for the number of available homes. Did you know that fixing your pet is also GOOD for their continued health? Before you decide to breed your beautiful puppy or kitty, please do a lot of research (do you know about Parvo?) and be committed to finding them great homes, having them vaccinated, and getting the facts from your vet about what you will need to do.

LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER

Spay Neuter Express: Low-cost spay/neuter mobile clinic. Call 616-897-8865 or go to  www.spayneuterexpress.com to find a location near you and make an appointment.

AS FUNDS ALLOW:

Safe Haven will help when possible to spay or neuter pets whose owners cannot afford the total cost of the surgery. Contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone 616-522-1611 and let us know why you need help.


MICROCHIPPING -- a little security if your pet is lost

We are also very committed to microchipping. Currently, all of our dogs are chipped with a 24hour PetWatch chip prior to adoption. Having a microchip can be the difference between finding your pet or possibly always wondering where they ended up. A microchip is placed into the scruff of the pet's skin. If your dog is found by someone, any vet, shelter, or humane society will scan your pet for free to see if it has been microchipped. Once that chip is read, you would be contacted to come get your beloved pet.


HEART WORM -- Prevent it

Safe Haven is passionate about educating our community about heart worm. Many pet owners have heard of it but don't really know what it is or that it is carried by mosquitos. Safe Haven strongly recommends heartworm testing your pet annually at the very least, and using monthly prevention year round. Talk to your vet to see the best thing for your pet. The American Heartworm Society defines heartworm as:

. . . a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats and other species of mammals, including wolves, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and (in rare instances) humans. Heartworms are classified as nematodes (roundworms) and are filarids, one of many species of roundworms. Dogs and cats of any age or breed are susceptible to infection.

It may seem that monthly heartworm-prevention medication is too costly to keep up. The alternative is TREATING it, which is not only costly to your pocket book, but also to your pet's quality of life, and in some cases may take your pet's life. The treatment is also very difficult--sort of comparable to chemo treatment for your pet. True, if caught early the treatment may be less invasive. Is it worth the risk? Sometimes buying the medication each month instead of 6 or 12 months at a time is the most affordable option when things are tight. When you have multiple pets and buy multiple doses you also may be eligible for discount coupons from whichever medication you're using. Heartworm medication prescriptions for cats and dogs are only available through your vet. If you choose to get from an online source do a little research and understand you still need a prescription.


Keep your dog safe while driving

Having a dog is a great experience in one’s life. It not only teaches you responsibility, but how to take care of something. And that is what your objective should be, keeping your pet safe. You need to think of ways that will protect your dog wherever you go. So many dog owners tend to just stick them in the back of a truck and think they’ll stay. Remember, they are animals and may jump off the back gate if left unattended.


HELP WITH PET MEDICAL EXPENSES

From the Heart helpful resource for private pet owners who need help with pet medical expenses.


WHEN YOUR PET PASSES ON

For respectful, compassionate help at the time your pet has crossed the rainbow bridge: www.noahspetcemetery.com


CATS AND DOGS MAGAZINE

Cats and Dogs Magazine is a free magazine dedicated to companion animals and showcasing local pet rescue groups: http://www.janetvormittag.com/catsanddogs.html

 


Safe Haven Humane Society
P.O. Box 55, Ionia, MI 48846
Phone: 616-522-1611
Fax: 517-579-5948 

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