Humane Society of Marathon County

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Chloe is head over paws about her humans!

September 5, 2018

Greetings to my friends at Marathon County Humane Society,

You may not remember me as it is 6 months ago on Mon. the 3rd that I left your place.  My name is Chloe Anna Tews (CAT) and I just wanted to give you an update.  (Picture attached)

I’m having a very good life and I thank you.  We’ve made an old couple smile often.  I’m healthy and have grown a lot in 6 months.  I’m very muscular ’cause I chase glitter balls all over the house.  I even retrieve for them which they think is cute.  I sleep with them every night except when they go away.  They do have nice people come in and feed me and visit with me when they’re gone but I still don’t like it.  I have a wonderfully warm closed porch to sleep on during the day which I love.  They have lots of company and I love engaging with all of their friends.  They seem to like me too.  So, I have a great life and I thank you.  Keep up the good work.

Love,

Chloe

 

 

Falling for Fawn

February 27, 2018

Fawn arrived as a stray to an animal control facility in Milwaukee before getting transferred to HSMC.  She was very scared and very shy for the first month we had her; we gave her several weeks to adjust to staff before making her available for adoption.  She’s so adorable and people fell in love with her right away, but she wouldn’t let her heart go to someone new very easily.  She got adopted in February and any time a shy pet leaves for their happily ever after we hold our breath and cross our fingers that they’ll take well to their new surroundings and families.  And then we get updates like this <3

“Miss Fawn loves to be cozy! Still nervous, but doing better. Thanks so much!”

Sharing is caring

February 20, 2018

Did you know that 68% of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association?  That’s a great statistic in the animal sheltering world and one that we hope continues to rise.  Knowing that over half of the available households already have pets, can make it difficult to find placement for pets that are particular and cannot live with other animals.  We often hear people saying “I would adopt them if I could!” or “If only he liked other dogs!” 

Even if your household is full, or if you already have a pet that is particular at home, you can still help these picky pets find a home!  How?  The wonderful world of social media, of course!

We are lucky to be located in a community that cares about pets and more specifically, cares about shelter pets!  Did you know that we have pets featured weekly on a variety of local media outlets?

  • Every Wednesday morning on WSAW’s Sunrise 7 program we feature two adoptables; these pets are also typically featured on WSAW’s website as well as their Facebook page.
  • Every Thursday evening we have a pet featured during Pet Savers on WAOW; this segment runs toward the end of the 5:00pm show and sometimes ends up on their Facebook page.
  • Every Tuesday morning we are in studio with Bryan Scott of 101.9 WDEZ with an adoptable pet; this segment is recorded on Facebook live and featured on their website blog.
  • Each week we have two adoptables featured in the Wausau Daily Herald with photos and descriptions; sometimes these photos are also featured on their Facebook page.
  • Each week we have an adoptable dog featured on 93.7 WHDG Hodag Country’s website in their Hodag Country Critters blog.
  • Each week Fox Wausau or WZAW features two of our adoptables on their website and during their newscast.

In addition to the pets we get to feature on different platforms, we are constantly posting about our awesome adoptables on our HSMC Facebook and Instagram pages.

Still looking for how you can do your part, even though you can’t adopt?  It’s coming!

Even if you cannot adopt one of our awesome pets, you can still help us tell their stories.  You can do this by “sharing” the posts you see on our social media sites, as well as on other local media outlets.  “Sharing” a post improves the reach that each of our critters can get and increases the likelihood that someone out there in this great big world of ours will fall in love with that pet.  Someone may come into our shelter to see one specific pet and end up falling in love with another.  Someone may come out to visit and bring a friend or family member with them that may fall in love with an adoptable pet.  So many wonderful things can come from something that takes so little effort.

We ask you kindly that the next time you see a fun post about an adoptable pet on one of our social media outlets, you press that little “Share” button and help us spread the love and the wonderful stories behind each one of our furry friends!

 

 

February is Dental Health Month

January 31, 2017

February is Dental Health Month! Here are before and after pictures of my dog’s teeth before and after a full dental. Dunkin was lucky, he didn’t lose any of his teeth and has no periodontal disease. We’re still working on his accepting brushing, but for now the denta stix will help along with a healthy diet!

If you haven’t set an appointment already, it is time to make one with your veterinarian to take care of your pet’s teeth.

Here at HSMC we see LOTS of pets come in with need for veterinary care, and too often it is so far gone they wind up with only one or two teeth or worse, a heart condition. Next to spaying and neutering, dentals are the top medical treatment we need to have done. Left untreated, plaque and tartar buildup generally will progress to painful periodontal disease. Even worse, the bacteria from that can spread to other organs and cause even more illnesses. A whopping 85% of dogs and cats four years old and older are affected by periodontal disease! DON’T add your best furry buddy to that list!

Make it a point this month to help your pet keep his or her teeth and gums healthy!

Be aware of Bad Breath! If a musky odor is emanating from Fido’s mouth know that this could be a warning sign that he has periodontal disease. If you have a cat, that smell can also be indicative of stomatitis, an all too common feline condition that causes painful inflammation of the gums and mouth tissues.

Be aware of these signs as well:

  • Bleeding gums
  • yellow or brown teeth
  • pawing at the mouth
  • loose or missing teeth

Brush Your Pet’s Teeth! Yes, it can be a challenge at first, especially if you adopted or inherited an adult dog. With enough love, patience and plenty of yummy rewards, you can make a tooth brushing battle into a bonding experience with your dog or cat. I’ll be honest. It very well may take several weeks to acclimate your pet to the toothbrush. Start by letting him smell the toothbrush and pet (not people) toothpaste, then gradually work your way to brushing for 30 seconds on each side of his mouth at least every other day. WARNING: Human toothpaste is not safe for pets, be sure to use a product approved for pets.

If you are afraid your pet will bite you, just ask your veterinarian for alternative tartar-control options.

Dental Toys, Treats and Food While not as effective as actually brushing your pet’s teeth, giving them treats, toys and food specifically designed to promote oral health will help to maintain healthy gums and teeth. You can check for the Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council to make sure that whatever alternative you choose meets the standards for effective plaque and tartar control. You’re a good pet parent, you’ll make the effort!

Schedule a Dental Exam! We humans aren’t the only ones who need professional dental care. Your pets need and deserve to have their teeth and gums checked by a veterinarian. During the exam you can expect the vet to first take your pet’s medical history, then ask if you’ve noticed any dental health warning signs such as the ones you read about above. Then there will be an examination of your pet, including checking the head and neck for any abnormalities. Finally, he’ll check out your pet’s teeth and gums for redness, inflammation, tenderness and bleeding. He’ll also be looking for missing teeth, cracked teeth, plaque, tartar, and potentially cancerous lumps and bumps. All this usually happens without sedation, unless your pet becomes aggressive or the teeth too painful. (Remember, that is OUR fault, not theirs!) For a complete dental evaluation, though, your pet will have to go under anesthesia.

Anesthesia vs. Rotten Teeth and Gums To properly examine your pet’s teeth and gums, effectively get rid of sticky plaque and tartar, and really clean your pet’s teeth, he’ll need to be anesthetized. Sure it sounds scary; it’s not as bad as it sounds. Just like with our own dental care, the procedure has never been safer or more comfortable. Before your vet even begins anesthesia, he well may recommend prescreening tests to help ensure that your pet is healthy enough for the procedure.

Honestly, the benefits of dental cleaning outweigh the possible risks of anesthesia. Your pet will awaken with fresh breath and healthy, shiny teeth. And remember this: maintaining healthy teeth and gums help protect the body’s other organs, like the heart and kidneys, from the damaging effects of dental disease.

If you have a puppy or kitten, it is never too early to get them, accustomed to the feel of teeth brushing. It should be part of every pet’s routine grooming and veterinary care.

Now…..

CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN!

Traveling with Pets

July 21, 2015

While many folks utilize friends, relatives, in home pet sitters and boarding facilities to care for their pet while on vacation, others would rather stay home than leave them at all. Anyone who has ever traveled for vacation knows just how stressful it can be, and double that if you’re bringing pets. Unlike the TV ads where you just all jump smiling into the car and let Fido hop in without a second thought, the reality of traveling with your family pet is a bit more complicated. Here are some suggestions for a safe and happy trip with your pet!

Plan ahead! Get your pet a microchip and also be sure to have a well fitted color and a tag imprinted with your home address and cell phone number. PLEASE make sure it is a flat collar, not a choke style. Some folks add a small luggage style tag to the collar with hotel information and more.

Pack a travel bag for, Fido, too. Include rabies vaccination paperwork (in case you are crossing state lines or even if a bite should happen), any prescriptions, food and water bowls, a leash, pop bags, grooming needs, a pet first aid kit, that favorite pillow or toy…and a few pictures of Fido alone and with the family!  Consider bringing bottled water since even subtle changes can wreak havoc on a sensitive system.

If you haven’t traveled with your pet before, start with frequent short drives and lengthen them to help Fido get adjusted to the idea. Be sure to have a crate which is well ventilated and secure. One that is big enough to stand up in, turn around and lie down in comfortably. Secure it so it doesn’t rollover or slide around with sudden stops or turns. Bring the crate indoors and make it an enjoyable place to lounge or have a snack. The continuity of something from home to den in is a plus for the whole family! Never let your dog drive with its head out the window. Yes, they do love it…but an airborne stone or a particle in the eye at high speeds is devastating.

Be sure to feed Fido a light meal about 3 1/2 – 4 hours before taking off.  Factor in frequent stops for a water stop/ potty stop and to give everyone a chance to stretch their legs. It’s a good idea not to feed your dog in a moving vehicle, so utilize the stops for Fido’s meals.  This is probably a good time to point out that accidents DO happen, and having protective (waterproof?) seat covers or floor liners may be worth the investment.

Finally, never ever leave your dog crated and unattended in a locked vehicle. It really doesn’t matter the time of year. In the summer your dog can overheat as temperatures turn your vehicle into an oven. In the winter it can act like a freezer. You loved him enough to bring him along…love him enough to be the best pooch parent you can be!

Featured Pet 2

Featured Pet

Could you be what Karja needs? When we first met Karja at the beginning of November we really wished she could tell us her story; she had been out on her own for quite some time and came to us … Read More

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Contact Us

Humane Society of Marathon County
7001 Packer Drive
Wausau, WI 54401
Phone: 715-845-2810

Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday -
Noon to 5PM
Thursday - Noon to 7PM
Closed Sunday, Wednesday and Holidays.

The mission of the Humane Society of Marathon County, Inc. is to inspire and engage the community to end animal suffering and commit to responsible pet ownership.

Our vision is a cruelty-free community enriched by the special bond between people and animals.

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