We've Gone Catty!

The Humane Society of Eastern Carolina has gone catty!  That’s not to say we’ll criticize your clothes, hair, or shoes (we love you just the way you are), but that we’re celebrating national Adopt a Shelter Cat month in a big way! 

We already know that cats are awesome.  But in June, there are even more reasons to adopt a feline friend.  With each adoption comes a cat starter kit, including a litter box pooper scooper, food & water bowls and a wand toy – useful things to make your new buddy right at home. 

AND…if that’s not enough, an anonymous donor has just made cat adoption even sweeter by offering $20 adoption fees for the first 20 cats adopted in June from both HSEC and the Pitt County Animal Shelter – a $60 savings over our regular fee. 

Now is a great time to adopt.  We have cats of all ages and temperaments:  if you want a fluffy, active kitten, or a cozy adult lap cat, we can help.  Our gently used fluffies are ready to go and up the love level at your house!

I want YOU to come and adopt me!

There's just one week left - take advantage of this purrrrfect deal! We’re open for adoptions at 3520 Tupper Dr Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 1pm - 5pm, and we're at the Greenville PetSmart, 600 Greenville Blvd SE, weekdays 5:30pm - 8pm, Saturdays 11am - 5pm and Sunday 2pm - 5pm. So what’s stopping you?  Make a beeline for our felines – we guarantee you’ll be happy to make a new furry friend!

Wordless Wednesday with Hooch

Hooch is available for adoption! To find more information on this beautiful Bullmastiff mix click here. 

Join us in making 2014 a great year!

As 2013 comes to an end, we’re delighted to look back on a banner year for homeless animals! With 378 adoptions, we exceeded last year’s total by 62. And we have one important New Year’s resolution for 2014 – to accomplish even more! 

In partnership with the Pitt County Animal Shelter and Spay Today, we’re working every day to save lives and lower the number of unwanted animals in Pitt County. But keeping up with the costs of feeding, housing, vaccinating, spaying and neutering, and providing medical care is an ongoing challenge.

Moving forward into the new year, we’d like to add you to our lifesaving partnership. By adopting, volunteering, or donating, you can be part of the solution to this heartbreaking problem. Your year-end donation will allow us to continue providing hope and homes for cats and dogs in need.

We wish you a blessed New Year, and hope you’ll join us in making 2014 a great year for the animals of Pitt County!

Inspector Hector: You've been deputized!

Inspector Hector is a four year old Shepherd/Pitt Bull mix.  He’s currently in foster care, and is sniffing around for a home of his own! Follow his adventures through HSEC social media #inspectorhector

Hi, Deputy Inspectors!  Just thought I’d check in and let you know what’s happening with your faithful friend, Inspector Hector.

I’m still hoping my super snooping skills lead me to my forever home, and hanging out in my foster home in the meanwhile.  My detailed research, using my extreme investigative intelligence, has led me to a few conclusions.

First, my ideal home is out there.  I just know it is.  After all, there has to be a person, or maybe people, who need someone to make sure their home is patrolled and safe.  I will know what’s going on at all times, and I want my people to be protected from any changes.   I will especially guard against any cats that might be bold enough to venture onto MY territory. 

One of the things I’ve learned for sure, and I’ve given it a lot of thought, is that I do love people.  People do some absolutely awesome things, like pass out dog biscuits for good behavior.  I always like to be first in line when the treats are given.  I think there are enough to go around, but you just can’t be too careful, I say.  If my foster siblings beat me to it, I am always patient and polite as I wait my turn.  People seem to like patient and polite dogs, so I try my best.  I also love to be petted, which is one of the things I’ve decided people do best.

I have also been told that I am a great playmate.  OK, I’ll admit that sometimes playing with other dogs is so exciting that I get just a bit carried away, but I have learned to calm down, and my foster siblings have been known to provide a reminder.  Now I’m one of the gang, and my superior reasoning skills have led me to believe that I’d love to have another dog to play with!

So I’ve provided you with a few more clues to help me, your buddy Inspector Hector, find my way to a home that needs me as much as I need them.  Can you help me along the trail by sharing this, and asking your friends to join in the search?

Inspector Hector: Morning Investigationals

Inspector Hector is a four year old Shepherd/Pitt Bull mix.  He’s currently in foster care, and is sniffing around for a home of his own! Follow his adventures through HSEC social media #inspectorhector

Inspector Hector here, reporting for duty!  Yes, I am still on the trail, looking for clues that will lead me to my forever home.

Let me tell you about a very important part of my routine, my morning investigationals.  When I wake up, like most creatures, I need to go out, if you know what I mean.  So my first task is to check out my foster humans and see where they are.  My research has shown that they are typically still in bed.  I have honed my skills to land precisely between the two, and have found that doggie kisses make a fine wake-up tool.

 I enjoy rolling in the covers, but I still have the outside business to do.  But on the way, a quick check of the house is in order for an inspector type such as myself, so I take a lap around the house, at top speed, before arriving at the back door.

That's me in the center, with my roomies!

 
Once outside, it is important to make sure the premises are free of cats.  I am not fond of cats, and definitely do not want them on the property.  I also make sure the squirrels know they are not welcome, and once these duties are finished, I celebrate by vaulting over the rosebushes and taking a few laps around the yard.  It is such a great feeling to know my job is done!

Sometimes, one of the humans will go back to bed with a cup of coffee.  That is my favorite time.  I feel it is my duty to check out the bed, and will join whoever is there.  As a reward for a superior morning investigational, I get chest rubs, right on the white spot between my front legs.  I must admit that sometimes the bed feels so good that I can’t help taking just a bit of a morning nap, often with one of my foster siblings. 

I just love mornings!  The only thing better would be spending them with my forever family in my forever home.  So if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to sniff out clues that will lead me there!


Although Inspector Hector is in foster care, it’s easy to arrange a time to meet him at the Humane Society’s Tupper Road facility.  Just call HSEC at 252-413-7247 or email HSECgeneral@gmail.com and we’ll find a time that works for you!

Success Story: Marky

by Siri Espy

It was love at first description!  As a volunteer writer for the Humane Society, I receive background

Marky

information on newcomers and write their bios for the web site.  So when I read about Marky, I suspected that he might be the one.

Having lost a beloved cat to cancer about a year ago, I knew that my love of cats and their  overwhelming need for loving homes would one day motivate me to again reach my self-imposed limit of four.  As a long-time cat mom and animal volunteer, I had specific requirements:  a male (more likely to get along with a sometimes unpleasant female cat);  an adult (to blend in with my three older cats); and an affectionate lap cat with soft fur to pet.

I started looking out for prospects at the same time my husband came around to the idea of replenishing our kitty corps.  And then came the e-mail from the Humane Society’s Outreach Director about a little fellow named Marky, using words like silky, sweet, loves to be held, loves to be petted. 
Visiting Marky, I learned he’d had a rough life.  He bears the ear-tip of a feral cat, indicating that he had been trapped, neutered, and released to survive on his own.  His other ear is tattered from a fight, and he is blind in one eye from an injury.  But this is no unfriendly feral cat.  He began to purr and cuddle the moment I picked him up. 

Ahhh, bliss.

So Marky is now part of the family, and with slow introductions, he has fit right in.  The other cats were undisturbed by the newcomer, who hissed at first before deciding that this is an OK place to live.  He bonded with us immediately, at one point purring so loudly that I had to turn up the volume on the TV.  He is contented and seems truly relieved and grateful to be where he belongs.

As Marky sits contentedly by my side, it breaks my heart to think of this sweet little guy, injured, frightened and alone, with no one to love and care for him.  With his easy bonding, it’s clear that he has been around humans and was likely treated well at one point.  We’ll never know what happened in his first few years of life, up until he was picked up as a stray by Animal Control, then transferred to the Humane Society.  But that part of his life is over.

It’s a wonderful feeling to know that my pal Marky will be loved and safe with us, with plenty of food, water, treats, toys, and a choice of two laps.  After all, that’s what every pet deserves.  And that’s why I volunteer, adopt and donate.  I can’t save them all, but I do what I can to impact the innocent lives of animals who desperately need help - like my sweet, lovable, forever cat, Marky.

Shelter Pets: Myth vs Fact

A recent survey found that young adults are the least likely to consider a shelter pet for adoption (31%) vs buying animals from a breeder or pet store (46%). At HSEC, we are dedicated to combating the myths and misconceptions that cause this alarming statistic. Please help us get the word out by sharing this article among your friends!


MYTH: Shelter animals remain in the shelter until they are adopted.

FALSE. There are many no-kill facilities, including HSEC. But they are the exception rather than the rule. Nine thousand animals are euthanized every day in America. In Pitt County, 2600 pets are euthanized every year. We have a serious pet overpopulation problem in this country. When you purchase an animal from a pet store, you are contributing to the problem.

MYTH: Only bad or dangerous animals are surrendered to shelters.

FALSE: In examining the statistics, behavioral problems are responsible for less than 5% of animal surrenders. The most common reasons for surrender are logistic. Moving and landlords not allowing pets are numbers 1 and 2, making up a combined 13% of dogs and 14% of cats. Other common issues cited included cost, allergies, personal problems of the owner, and no homes available for littermates.

This means that animals are largely not surrendered because they are bad or dangerous, and most did nothing to cause their abandonment.

MYTH: Only bad, sick, or dangerous animals are euthanized.

FALSE. 6-8 million pets enter shelters each year, and 3-4 million are euthanized - around 50%. In Pitt County, 68% of animals that enter Pitt County Animal Shelter are euthanized.

The vast majority of dogs and cats are euthanized simply because they do not have homes, not because of any underlying behavioral or medical problems.

MYTH: Shelter pets are second-rate.

FALSE. The reasons why animals are surrendered to shelters are largely unrelated to their temperament and behavior. It's true that some rescue pets may need special care and attention due to traumatic events in their past. This is hardly the case for all or even most animals that end up in shelters. If you are concerned, ask the shelter or rescue staff to help you choose a pet that best suits your family's needs.

MYTH: Shelter pets are all mutts.

FALSE. Around 25% of homeless pets are purebred. There are even rescue groups that focus specifically on animals of a certain breed. If you want a particular breed, you can find it in a shelter or rescue group. It may not have the same instant gratification of purchasing an animal from a pet store, but you may literally be saving a life.

MYTH: Pet store pets are guaranteed to be healthy and well-behaved.

FALSE. There are reputable breeders who treat animals well and produce healthy pets from healthy parents. But they are the exception. Around 90% of pets in pet stores come from puppy mills. These operations keep their stock contained in tiny, crowded, dirty cages. Animals receive little veterinary care, and once they have passed their useful breeding life, they are simply euthanized or discarded. Young animals are removed from their mothers too early, causing the same health and behavioral problems that people try to avoid by choosing purebreds.



For most people, their dogs and cats are a part of their family. We claim to love our animals, but we allow millions of unlucky animals just like them to be euthanized every year. So for your next pet, don't shop - adopt. Educate yourself about the reality of homeless animals in this country, and share this information with your friends and family. If we could solve this issue, we could save taxpayers two billion dollars a year as well as saving billions of innocent lives.

Inspector Hector is On the Case!

Inspector Hector is a four year old Shepherd/Pit Bull mix.  He’s currently in foster care, and is sniffing around for a home of his own! He'll be blogging here until he find his forever home, so follow him on the blog, Facebook, and Twitter: #inspectorhector

My beauty shot

Well, hello – Inspector Hector here!  As you may have guessed by my name, I like to know everything that’s going on and personally inspect every inch. So I decided to put my skills to work and check out how a great dog like me goes about getting himself adopted.

I must say my investigations so far have helped me find my way to a good spot.  A nice sort of human found me as a stray, then brought me to the Humane Society.  I don’t think living in a kennel is a good idea, so they found me a foster home.  But there’s one more trail of clues to follow – and they’ll lead to my forever home.

Nothing much gets by me, the Inspector, so I found out that a couple of animals in foster care like me wrote blogs and found their forever homes.  I love to find things, so here I am.

In my day, I have sniffed dogs, cats and humans, and I’ll tell you what I think.  I get along very well with humans, both the big ones and the little ones.  Sometimes, I get so excited around the very little ones that my tail-wags knock them over, and I have discovered that they seem not to like that.  I have observed that the medium-sized and bigger humans stay on their feet much better.

I’m living with other dogs, and in carefully checking out the situation, I like them too.  Cats, however, have not passed my sniff test, and I’ll be happy to chase them away for you.  People and dogs, good; cats, bad.  That’s what I’ve learned.

Hard at work on the latest case!

As an official inspector, I’m always on the job.  Some dogs would just lie down on a bed without
knowing what’s in it, but not me.  I need to look under the covers and then stretch out on the bottom sheet.  And I feel like it’s my responsibility to check out what’s happening in the kitchen.  You just never know these days.

The family I’m searching for will help me investigate.  I need plenty of exercise, and you’ll need to understand that I must check everything out along the way.  Hey, it’s my job.  And if you want to investigate me, it’s easy.  Just call HSEC at 252-413-7247 or email HSECgeneral@gmail.com to arrange a time to meet.

I’m  also looking for some deputy inspectors, which is where you come in.  If you have a good sniffer, can you help me find a home?  If you share this blog with your friends and ask them to “like” the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina page, we’ll be able to expand our investigation and gather more clues.  I’m on the case – how about joining me?

Jammin with Judd - Judd is ADOPTED!!

Judd is an adorable three-year old white and tabby fellow who was hanging out at the Humane Society looking for a home, until he moved to a foster home to continue waiting.  He told us he would blog every week until he got a home of his own.

Remember when I told you that I’m a living in a home kinda guy?  I thought life in my foster home was pretty sweet, but I found something even sweeter.  Yes, I’ve been ADOPTED!

I examine my body of blogging work

A while back, some very nice humans came in and visited with me, but they adopted another cat who came to the Humane Society from the same high-kill shelter as me at the same time.  Although I was very happy for her, I was also very sad that I hadn’t found a home.  Well, it turns out that they actually wanted TWO cats, and after they saw my blog, they decided to come back and visit with me again.  My foster mom brought me to the Humane Society for a meet and greet, and I made it a point to give myself an extra-special bath, not missing a single spot, so I would look my best.

So here I am, in my new home!  And I absolutely love it here!  When I first arrived, they put me in a “safe room” so I could get used to the rest of the family, but I told you I would try to be brave when I got to my forever home, and I was!  The next day, I managed to open the door (quite an accomplishment, I know) and I walked out and joined the rest of the family – MY family!

It is so much fun to explore the new house!  It has a bunch of rooms, and plenty of space to spread

Me and my new brother Micah

out on the floor, and it’s really exciting to look out all the windows and doors!  And along with the humans, I have three furry siblings.  I got re-acquainted with their other new cat, the one from the Humane Society, who has a new name but still smells familiar.  She hisses at me a bit, but I’m not too worried about that, and I really do like her even though she wants to be the boss.  And I adore their two dogs, who are really cool guys.  We like to hang out together – I think you might say we have a furry bromance – they are my new brothers, after all!

Ahhh. Life is sweet.

One of my very favorite things here is all the playing.  My new dad also likes to play too, and we’ve had a ball playing with balls!  One day, I was so excited about playing that I kept bringing him balls, but he told me it was 6 am and he had just gotten home from work, so I guess he wasn’t so much in a playing mood.  But my new dad is so awesome that it’s OK.  Later, I was just a bit embarrassed that I was playing so hard with a feather toy that I fell sound asleep on my back while I was playing with it.  Being a happy cat can be so exhausting – but in a good way.

My mom and dad tell us that they were very sad when they lost their last cat, but now that they have my new sister and me, they’re happy again.  I make it a point to give them lots of head boinks, and in return they give me lots of love.  I think it’s a pretty good deal all around. 

The Humane Society of East Carolina has many other equally wonderful cats and dogs waiting for their forever homes.  Come and visit today, and find your new best friend!  We’re open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 2-5.

Jammin with Judd - Let's Meet!

Judd is an adorable three-year old white and tabby fellow who’s living in a foster home since life at the facility was starting to get him down. He tells us he will blog every week until he gets adopted.  He really wants a place of his own! Follow his adventures through HSEC social media - #jamminwithjudd

Well, another week in my foster home, and I must say that I am certainly a living in a home kinda

guy.  I just love having room to sprawl out, and having humans around is absolute heaven.  Being petted and having laps to sit on – now that’s the life!

The only sad thing is that I know this is not my forever home, and I really want one.  I was a little shy and spooked when I arrived here, but after a couple of days I got very happy, and I know I can do it again!  Really, all I need is some loving, some treats, and a place of my own.  Is that too much for a guy to ask?

There is one thing that has been worrying me.  Since I’m not at the Humane Society’s facility, how would someone go about meeting me and adopting me?  Resourceful cat that I am, I scratched around a bit and found out that all a human would need to do is to call HSEC on any kind of telephone at 252-413-7247 or email HSECgeneral@gmail.com on a computer or smart phone to fill out a pre-adoption application, which is easy to do.

The people there are very nice, and they will make sure you and I will be a good match (I’ll bet we will).  Then they’ll find a good time for us to meet and greet at their facility.  My schedule is pretty much wide open, but you, my foster mom and the people at the facility can find a time that works for everybody.

I must confess that I’m not much of a traveler – not many of us cats are – but I really do want to meet my forever humans, so I’ll try to be brave.  So let’s get together!  I’ll bet we can be each other’s BFFs!

Jammin with Judd - A New Place

Judd is an adorable three-year old white and tabby fellow who’s been hanging out at the Humane Society looking for a home.  He tells us he will blog every week until he gets adopted.  He really wants a place of his own! Follow Judd's adventures on Facebook and Twitter, #jamminwithjudd

Me (Judd) and a friend

Wow, have I ever had a whirlwind of a week!  I must admit I was getting a little down in the dumps at the Humane Society.  I mean, it’s bright and cheerful, and everyone is very nice to us cats, but it’s full of commotion and there are way too many kittens bouncing around and making kitten noises.  And it’s just not home.

Because the people there saw that I was a bit depressed, a lady who works there decided to take me home with her for a cage break.  I’ve seen her around before, and she was always a very pleasant human.  But as I mentioned before, I do get upset sometimes in unfamiliar situations, so this was a big, scary change for me.

Next thing I knew, I was being loaded into a carrier and into a car, and I was on my way to Ana’s house.  I’ll admit it was overwhelming to be in a strange place with a very young human and a couple of other cats – there were lots of brand new sights and smells.  Lucky for me, there was a great couch to hide under for a couple of days, although I did sneak out for food, water, and the litter box when nobody was looking.

Finally Ana coaxed me out from under the couch, and you know what?  It’s really a lot of fun here!  There are little plastic balls to play with, and they have a great sprawling floor!  And I love to follow Ana from room to room, and my very favorite thing is to lay on her tummy!  Humans are so cuddly!

So in the past week, I went from depressed to scared to happy.  Funny how that happened.  I really, really want a home of my very own that I never have to leave – I’ve decided that I will try to be brave when I have to move again, but I want it to be forever.  Do you happen to be looking for a cuddle buddy, play pal and all around fun cat?  I hope so.

Jammin With Judd: Holiday Edition

Judd is an adorable three-year old white and tabby fellow who’s hanging out at the Humane Society looking for a home.  He tells us he will blog every week until he gets adopted.  He really wants a place of his own! Follow Judd's adventures - and share your own experiences with him - on Twitter, #jamminwithjudd

I understand that this week is a time when humans like to set off fireworks.  Well, I would like to be your firework!  Although having booms and lights in the sky seems a bit strange to me, I am willing to do my best.

Being a shelter cat does get a bit monotonous, you know.  I am ready to bust out of here, just my own personal Independence Day.  The problem is that I’m not really an independent kind of guy.  I figure I need humans for several very important things, like food, water, toys, playing, treats, and most of all, love!  Yes, I am a very committed love bug, with a special fondness for petting  and laps!  So while I want to be independent of the cage thing, I can’t imagine life without people!

I’m hoping that my time is coming.  What are you doing this weekend, now that the holiday is over?  I’m still hanging out at the Humane Society, and I’m wondering if you’re the one to help me explode in a stunning display of kitty joy?  We can be one another’s fireworks…any time you’re ready!

Jammin With Judd: Forever Home Checklist

My good side

Judd is an adorable three-year old white and tabby fellow who’s hanging out at the Humane Society looking for a home.  He tells us he will blog every week until he gets adopted.  He really wants a place of his own! Follow Judd's adventures - and share your own experiences with him - on Twitter, #jamminwithjudd

Hello!  This is Judd again, hoping to blog my way into someone’s heart and home!  Since last week, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking a lot about this adoption thing, and I decided to make a list of what I’m looking for so you’ll know if we are meant for one another.

1. People.  If you are reading this, you probably are one.  But just to let you know, I would not like a home without people.  I am a people kind of guy, and really want to be around them as much as I can. 
2. Treats.  I just love treats, and will do just about anything to get one!  I especially go crazy for the soft, chewy ones, but I’ll come running when I hear the package rattling or the bottle shaking.  If you don’t have treats in your house, don’t worry.  I’ve checked around and found out that they have them in grocery stores, marts, and pet stores, so you can get me some right away.
3. Laps.  I’m pretty sure they come standard on humans, but I am such a lap cat that I thought I

   

   I like windows. Does your house have windows?

   should mention it.  If you don’t happen to have a lap, we might have a problem, but if you do we will be fine.
4.  A floor.  Again, I think just about all houses have floors, but I do like floor sprawling, so if you have any kind of floor that’s big enough for a fellow to stretch out on, I think I will like your house.
5. A window.  They are fun to look out.  Here at the Humane Society, I like to watch the humans walking dogs.  That seems like a lot of trouble to me – you won’t need to walk me at all.  Another reason to adopt a cat.
6. Cats.  OK, this one’s optional.  But I do like other cats.  I like to explore the Cat Palace with my buddy Salem (also available for adoption – hint, hint!), and would be very happy to have a family with a mixture of furry and furless members.  But just humans would be fine, too - as long as you have humans.

I think this would be a good checklist to use to see if you would be the ideal home for me.  If you are, I’ll be at waiting for you at the Humane Society.  They’re open Friday, Saturday and Sunday – so what are you waiting for?

Jammin' With Judd

Meow! I'm Judd! Word travels fast here at the Humane Society, and I heard that a dog named Clooney started blogging to get himself adopted.  So I figure I’ll give it a try!

I really don’t know what a nice guy like me is doing in a place like this.  Don’t get me wrong, the people here are nice to me, but a cage?  Really?  At least it’s better than the scary place I was before, a shelter where not everycat was adopted, if you know what I mean – I shudder to think what could have happened to me!  But here, I believe them when they say I’m safe until I can find some humans who will be my forever family.

So here’s the deal.  I really am a nice guy, honest!  I get along well with others of the feline persuasion, and wouldn’t mind living with one or two if they’re cool with me.  And humans!  Don’t get me started on how much I love a good lap!  Laps just bring out the cuddler in me, and I definitely hope to find a home that has lots of lap time!  Oh, yes!  And head boinks and rubbing are lots of fun, too.  I just think humans were wonderfully designed for cat cuddling, don’t you?

Yes, I’m a lover, but I do admit I like my playtime, too.  I may not bend it like Beckham, but I am quite the skilled kitty soccer player.  Little toy mice are my favorite, too.  I’m glad they’re just toys, because I love to attack them!  Grrr…what fun!  I also love to perch myself up high in the play area, and pretend I’m the kitty king of the world! 

OK, since I’m being honest, I must admit that even a big guy like me gets a bit nervous sometimes, you know?  After all I’ve been through, I get spooked by loud noises or new things sometimes, and will even hide under a blanket in my cage where I feel safe.  That’s why I’m so excited about finding a human or maybe an entire family of humans to call my own, with a place of my own – my little corner of the world where I can feel safe and loved!

And that’s why I started this blog.  I’m sure there’s someone out there with a lap and some extra love who has room for me.  If it’s not you, I’ll bet you have some human pals you could pass this along to.  Ask them to come to the Humane Society – the place on Tupper Road – and ask for Judd.  I’ll be waiting!

Follow Judd's adventures via HSEC's Twitter stream! And if you happen to hang out with Judd while volunteering at the facility, send us a tweet or a pic - #jamminwithjudd

Help Us Empty the Shelter!

Pitt County’s dogs need some new best friends.

Pet homelessness is a significant problem in our area, and the need for permanent homes far exceeds

Boss is a recent transfer from PCAS

the supply even when the system is working smoothly.  But recent developments have raised the red flag for stray and unwanted dogs.

A recent inspection of the Pitt County Animal Shelter by the NC Department of Animal Welfare identified issues that must be remedied in order for the Shelter to remain open.  As a result, an older portion of the shelter has been closed for repairs and renovation, dropping the number of available dog runs from 25 to 10.

In partnership with the County Shelter, we’ve long played a key role in preventing the euthanasia of adoptable animals.  The majority of our animals are transferred in from the Shelter; once in our care, those animals are safe with us until they find loving homes.

Sweet Sparrow is another PCAS transfer

In this time of crisis, we’ve been working closely with the Shelter, saving lives by taking in as many animals as we possibly can.  But now we’ve reached our limit as well.

That’s where you come in.  During this time of limited capacity, the need for both foster and permanent homes has reached a critical point.  By freeing a kennel, you’re saving two lives – the dog you’re fostering or adopting, and the dog in need who’s next in line to be rescued.

Boss and Sparrow are only two of our recent arrivals from the County Shelter.  Boss is a two year-old Bloodhound/Retriever mix who’s playful, goofy, intelligent and good with cats, and one year-old Sparrow is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog mix who’s sweet and friendly.  Both are grateful to be safe at the Humane Society, and are waiting patiently for their forever homes.

If you’ve been thinking of adopting, or can open your home to foster an animal, check out our website for a listing of available pets, or stop by to visit on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays 2-5 p.m.  If you’re interested in fostering, send us an email. 

There’s no time like the present.  Your new best friend awaits!

Fee Waived Adoptions - Three for Free!

During our birthday celebration last month we introduced you to six lovely and loving dogs and cats, so ready to find homes that we waived their adoption fees. We're just plain tickled to announce that five of those original six have found their forever homes! Congratulations to Blue, Max, Precious, Clooney, and Tess!

With two additions to the fee-waived list, we now have Three for Free - three wonderful dogs with waived adoption fees who can't wait to come home with you - or you - or maybe YOU! Let's meet them!

Hector

Hector the shepherd mix is one of the original six, so he's extra ready to find his forever home! We just love Hector's mischievous smile. This guy is everything a dog should be, friendly, cuddly, and happy-go-lucky. He's quite energetic, and gets along very well with other dogs (though it is not recommended for him to go to a home with cats). Hector is heartworm positive, and takes medication for this condition. Heartworm is very treatable, so don't let that dissuade you if you think that Happy Hector might be the perfect new addition to your pack.

Scout

Scout is a sweet, shy, Carolina dog mix who arrived at HSEC after her owner moved to a pet-free apartment. At first this cute little girl was nervous and wary, but she's starting to come out of her shell in order to accept head scratches! She gets along with other dogs, and she's looking for a home that is a bit more quiet and a bit more patient. With some extra care and attention, we know that Scout will be someone's best friend for life.

Midas

Midas the labrador retriever mix proves that cats aren't the only ones with nine lives! Healthy young Midas was brought in for a "convenience euthanasia" because his owner didn't want to care for him any longer. Luckily, the vet called us! This young dog is energetic and playful and gets along well with humans or canines. He is house and crate trained and knows a few commands. He's ready for his second chance - ready for his forever home!



All dogs with the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina are evaluated for temperament, spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccines, dewormed, on heartworm and flea prevention and tested for heartworms if one year or older. Their adoption comes with a bag of Hill's Science Diet and one month free trial of pet health insurance from ShelterCare. All dogs four months or older must leave with a collar with their rabies tag as a form of identification. You can either bring your own collar or purchase a collar (priced $2-$10) from HSEC.

We are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 2pm - 5pm.  For more information, please email us at HSECgeneral@gmail.com!

Clooney's Commentary: Clooney Cooney

Clooney’s Commentary is written by a dog who has been a year-long resident of the Humane Society.  He decided to take matters into his own paws and get himself adopted.  This five year-old Shepherd mix recently moved to a foster home, and has been sending updates while waiting for his forever home!

Hey, it’s your favorite commentator, Clooney!  Here I am, grinning from ear to ear with doggie delight.  I found out that some things were just meant to be!  You’ll never guess what happened…

But let me start at the beginning.  A little more than a year ago, a very nice lady started volunteering at the Humane Society.  I could tell she liked me, and I liked her too.  She liked to take me on walks, which just happens to be one of my favorite things, too.  Last fall, she even took me to the pumpkin patch.  The smells there were just glorious!

Time went on and on for me, and I was beginning to give up on ever finding a home of my own!  But this kind lady kept me cheered up, and I always looked forward to her visits.  Then, a few weeks ago, something exciting happened – I got adopted by a young fellow!  He was very nice, and I hoped that we would have a good life together, but after just a few days he decided he didn’t have time for me, and returned me to the Humane Society.  I was very sad and discouraged, and started to think that I would never find my forever home.

The nice lady volunteer entered my life again, taking me for walks and telling me what a good boy I am.  It was great to hear – but even better, she agreed to be my foster mom and let me live with her while I waited for a place of my own. 

I quickly discovered that I just loved living with her!  Although I am not a petite pup, I like to sleep in bed with her, and get so comfy that my foster mom has to wake me up to go for a morning jog.  Oh, and I have actually lost some of my extra puppy pounds from all the walking and jogging.  I adore humans, and I must say her neighbors are fine specimens.  I always like saying hello to them.

While I was busy writing blogs and trying to find myself a forever home, something wonderful happened – my foster mom decided that she just couldn’t  live without me, and wanted to be my honest-to-goodness mom, so SHE ADOPTED ME!

I told you that some things are meant to be, and this is sure one of them!  She was there to spend time with me when I was all alone at the Humane Society, and took me home when I was sad from being returned and needed a friend.  But there’s something else that convinces me that we were meant to be together all along.  Upon being adopted, I got my new mom’s last name.  Yep, I’m now officially Clooney Cooney!




There are many animals just like Clooney still waiting for loving homes of their own.  Please consider adopting, volunteering, or donating to the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina.  You can make a difference for a wonderful pup like Clooney!

Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities!

It's summer! As much as we love hanging out in the sun, summer is usually a slow period at HSEC in terms of adoptions and volunteering. Let's buck the trend this year and work hard to help homeless dogs and cats in Eastern Carolina. Here are our upcoming summer fundraisers, events, and volunteer opportunities. Get involved for a good cause!

To sign up as a volunteer for any of the below opportunities, please visit our volunteer website. If you haven't yet used the website, check out the tutorial to get started.

Empty the Shelter:
Now - end of June
Starting Monday, June 10th, Pitt County Animal Shelter must close for mandatory renovations. For the next three weeks, the shelter will have only 10 dog runs available and will not be able to accept owner surrenders. In order to reduce the number of pets that will face euthanasia due to this closure, HSEC and other rescue groups in the area have teamed up to Empty the Shelter! HSEC has already taken in 16 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens, putting us at full capacity. Read more about the situation here.

How you can help:
Adopt, adopt, adopt! If you, a friend, or family member is considering adoption, now is a great time to save an animal's life. Head on over to Pitt County Animal Shelter, or swing by HSEC or one of the other organizations participating in this effort. HSEC will continue to transfer pets from PCAS whenever space becomes available in our facility.


HSEC Social Media Meeting
Monday, June 10th, 7:00pm
Peasant's Pub, 114 E 5th St
Want to volunteer with HSEC as part of our vital social media outreach effort? We're always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with the blog and other social media avenues, as writers, photographers, and technical support! Click here to learn more about being part of the HSEC blog. This is a great volunteer opportunity for anyone who wants to help out, but can't work with animals due to allergies or other reasons.

How you can help:
Come to our next meeting and find out what we're all about!

Fluff and Puff Dog Wash
Saturday, June 15th, 10am-2pm
Shell Rapid Lube and Auto Spa, 1625 E. Firetower Rd
Dirty dog? Treat them to a spa day at the first Fluff and Puff Dog Wash of the summer! Services available include a bath ($10 for small dogs, $15 for large dogs), nail trim ($5), and anal gland expression ($10). Baths also include a free ear cleaning!

How you can help:
Volunteers still needed! Volunteers for the dog wash will wash and dry dogs, assist with other procedures, direct traffic, and register participants for the service.


Bow Wow Bingo
Thursday, June 20th, 6:00-9:00 (games begin at 6:30)
Pitt Community Schools and Recreation Complex
4561 County Home Road 
Support HSEC and Spay Today - and maybe win some money! Our next Bow Wow Bingo will take place on June 20th. Tickets are $20, which includes 6 BINGO cards and a dabber. Tickets are available at the door only. BINGO nights take place the third Thursday of each month.

How you can help:
Volunteers needed, for this and future BINGO nights. Volunteers will help sell snacks, check cards, and generally assist with the fundraiser.


PetSmart Adoption Stand
June 10-23

PetSmart, 600 Greenville Blvd SE

Come out and meet some of our adorable adoptable kitties at the PetSmart adoption stand! You might even meet a kitten walking on a ferret leash. A great opportunity to interact with the kitties outside of the facility, and to chat with adoption counselors about which cat may be your next best friend. Here is our upcoming PetSmart schedule.

How you can help:
Guess what - volunteers needed! You can help by staffing the adoption stand, playing with the kitties and chatting with visitors.


Facility Volunteers
Always!
HSEC facility, 3520 Tupper Drive
We always have a need for facility volunteers to help out around the facility. This involves exercising and playing with the dogs and cats as well as some cleaning and other basic assistance. Our current schedule has multiple shifts each day. Filling these shifts is very important for the mental and physical well being of our fuzzy residents. As a facility volunteer, you will make a huge difference in the daily lives of multiple adorable animals - and what's better then that?

How you can help:
We're always happy to have volunteers. If possible, consider taking a recurring shift (for example, every Wednesday afternoon) to make the maximum impact!
 

Clooney's Commentary: Life in a Foster Home

Hey, guys!  Clooney again.  I told you I’d keep in touch and let you know what’s happening with me. 
Quite frankly, life is good in my foster home!  Although the staff and volunteers at the Humane Society are great humans, there is no comparison between living in a kennel and being in a place where I can stretch out and make my doggie self at home.  But I know this is only temporary, and I really don’t want to go back to a kennel!

My foster mom says I’ve been an absolute pleasure so far.  I told you so!   I really am a good companion, and I love love love people!  She says I’m a cuddle buddy, and I agree.  If she stops petting me, I sort of roll over on her to tell her not to stop.  I just can’t get enough petting. 

I am in doggie heaven when my foster mom takes me jogging!  It’s fun to see all the sights, especially when we run through the ECU campus and see all the friendly humans.  I want to stop and say hello to all of them, but we have a lot of jogging to do.  I know I’ve picked up a few pounds, and all this exercise should help me get my puppyish figure back!  I’ve also made friends with a few of my foster mom’s very nice neighbors.  Did I mention that I love people?

I miss my foster mom when she leaves the house, but I am a gentleman and wait patiently for her to come back.  No point in making a mess for her to clean – that would just take her time away from me!  When she gets back, I’m so excited to see her, and can’t help the kisses and tail wags.

There was something I found rather odd.  She gave me these things called rawhide bones.  I don’t want to be rude, but I’m not quite sure what I am supposed to do with them.  I just politely left them on the floor, and she realized that I’m not interested and picked them up. 

My foster mom says our next thing will be to work on learning to sit, stay, come, and shake, which sounds like fun!  If I do say so myself, I’m a pretty smart guy, and quite the people pleaser, so I’m excited to get started.

So that’s the latest from me.  I’m still looking for a person, or a family of people, to call my very own so I can have a forever home.  Could that be you – or can you share this with your friends?  I’ll be waiting to hear from you!

Clooney's Commentary: Meet Clooney!

Hey!  Clooney here!  I’ve been a resident of the Humane Society over a year now.  The people here have been awesome, but there is one thing they haven’t done – find me a forever home.  So I’ve decided to take matters into my own paws and talk directly to you. 

Somewhere out there in Facebookland, I’m sure there is someone who is looking for a guy just like me.  I’m a handsome dude, and still a youngster at age four.  I’m a Shepherd mix, so I’m a big pup.  I must admit that there just may be a bit more of me to love, and I could probably stand to lose a pound or two – or ten or so…

My hobbies include going on walks – I am a very well-behaved leash-walker – and snuggling with humans.  Despite my size, I love to sit on laps, and am looking for a lap (or a family of laps) to call my own.  And to make me even more of a find, my adoption fee has been waived!  I knew I was priceless, but now that’s really true.

I also enjoy hanging out with other dogs about my size, and have made some good friends at the Humane Society. I do have one confession to make…when I see cats or small dogs, my prey drive kicks in, and I want to chase them.  I’ve tried to resist, but what’s a guy to do?  So they say I should go to a home with no other pets or bigger dogs.  I suppose they’re right, although that chasing thing sure is fun!

I was recently adopted by a young man for just a few days, until he realized his schoolwork just didn’t allow him the time he needed to take care of me.  I loved living in a home, and I was very sad to be returned.  Now I’m living in a foster home, which is pretty cool, but I know I can’t stay here forever, which is where YOU come in.

My foster mom has agreed to help me write some posts and share some pictures so everyone can get to know me and see what a great guy I am.  I’m calling them Clooney’s Commentary, and I hope you’ll read and share them until I get a home of my own.  Can I count on you to help a fellow out?