COMET
Comet has just celebrated his first birthday. He is the last pup from his litter looking for his forever home.
Comet's mother was found as a stray on Christmas weekend 2006. It was a good thing she was found, because she was very pregnant! Our rescue took her in, and three days later she delivered a litter of beautiful blonde puppies.
The puppies spent their first four weeks nestled close to mom. As they grew and started to toddle around, they went to a foster home where they could have more room. They got their puppy shots and were wormed, and when they were old enough they were spayed and neutered and put up for adoption.
One by one the puppies got adopted. Comet was the last to go to a home. This home would foster him, and if it was a good match maybe they would adopt him.
But a few days after Comet got into his new home, he started limping. Thinking he had just been playing too hard, they cut down on his activity and let him rest. And he got better, but there was still a problem with his gait, so Comet came back to us.
We have had Comet evaluated by our vet, and the diagnosis is hip dysplasia. Now, Comet plays with other dogs just like any pup his age; the only thing you notice is that he looks a little knock-kneed. From time to time he will limp a bit. That is from the dysplasia.
Our vet recommended that he not be allowed to get overweight, and that glucosamine and chondroitin could be added to his diet. He will probably get arthritis as he gets older.
It's a little harder to find a home if you're a pup with hip dysplasia - but it's not impossible. Comet is a happy pup with a lot of love to give, and he is waiting for his forever home. If you'd like to meet Comet, he will be at our outreach adoption this Saturday at Tractor Supply, on Highway 441 just north of 326.
FOSTER HOMES NEEDED! Pet Network needs people to foster larger dogs that are ready for adoption. If you live in the Ocala area and would be able to provide a foster home, please contact us for information. This is a way you can help homeless animals find their forever home!
$1,000 REWARD
ARFF is offering a $1,000 reward in every county in Florida for information leading to arrests in cases of animal fighting. Details are at this site (copy and paste to your browser): www.animalrightsflorida.org/AnimalFighting.html
MICROCHIPS
Recently we took in a purebred dog that had been found stray with no identification tags. In an effort to find his owner, we had him scanned for a microchip. And Bingo! Yes, the dog has a microchip! BUT GUESS WHAT -- IT WILL NOT HELP HIM AT ALL BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER REGISTERED BY THE OWNER!
When you have a microchip implanted by a vet, or if you get a dog that has a chip in it, you must register yourself as the owner in the database of the company that made the microchip.
The two major manufacturers of microchips are Avid and Home Again. Registration costs about $15 and must be mailed to the company. Your vet does not do this when he puts in the microchip - you must do it yourself separately. Please check and see if your pet has a microchip and register it NOW! And if you have moved, make sure you have notifed the microchip company about your change of address and contact information. Your pet's life could depend on it. Feel free to contact us if you need further information on this subject.
SPONSOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Pet Network sends a printed newsletter to over 500 subscribers, four times a year. We are seeking corporate sponsors to help with cost of postage. Of course, we would acknowledge our sponsor in the newsletter! This is an opportunity for a small business to be acknowledged as supporting rescue! Email us for further information about sponsorship!
MATCHING GIFTS 
Did you know that many companies will match employee donations with an equal or greater corporate contribution? In some cases, corporations will even match the gifts of retired employees.
Matching gifts are a wonderful way to increase your contribution to Pet Network and to help your company fulfill its charitable goals.
Contact your company's human resources department to learn more about its requirements for matching gifts.
CANINE INFLUENZA is a potentially fatal, highly contagious disease which is now being reported in several states, including Florida and New York. The Florida State Veterinarian has issued an Emergency Alert regarding this disease. All dog owners should be aware of this newly emerging disease. Prompt Medical Treatment is Necessary for any dog that shows symptoms of Canine Influenza. The Alert can be seen at:
www.fvma.com/associations/3040/files/Influenza%20Notice%20Web.pdf
TRAINING VIDEO - FREE! Click here:
WISH LIST: We are in need of a washing machine to wash puppy bedding & towels. If you have one you can donate, please contact us!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Volunteers are needed for the following positions: Administrative Assistant: 4 hours per week at our office in Morriston, FL, Sunday afternoons. This volunteer will help maintain our database, assist with mailing our newsletter, filing, writing thank you notes. Must be computer literate. Volunteer needed for transport Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. This volunteer will pick up dogs at our foster center in Morriston and take them to our outreach adoption in Ocala, and assist with outreach adoption until 1 p.m. Must have Van or Covered Pickup truck which will accommodate crates for Transport. We can help with gas expense.if necessary. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mary: floridapets@yahoo.com STATISTICS Obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the following statistics come from the Marion County Animal Center: During 2005 the Marion County Animal Center took in a total of 14,968 dogs/cats/puppies/kittens. 10,488 of those animals were euthanized. Spay/Neuter is the Ultimate Rescue. Help stop the killing. Please spay or neuter your pet today.
We want to thank Minuteman Press and Puttin on the Dog, two businesses in Ocala, for hosting our donation banks! WHERE DO YOUR DOGS COME FROM? 6-20-07: Anatomy of a Rescue: We are trying to save 2 schnauzers from an animal control where they were scheduled to be euthanized. They're only 3 years old. but they both have heartworms. Several people are volunteering to help; but it will cost some money. The shelter will charge us about $40 each to pull the dogs out of there. The volunteer who offered to transport needs money for gas. Then there will be vet bills for heartworm treatments for both dogs, probably $100 each. We rely solely on donations; we receive no government funds. Donations are needed for expenses to save the dogs. 6-2-07: I was going to town to get dogfood when I saw him in the road. This is US 41 where cars are going 65 mph. The dog walked from one lane to the other; he would jump in fear as trucks thundered past him, but he still looked to see if it was someone he knew. A car had barely missed him when I pulled to the side of the road. Fortunately, I had treats in the car. This is a bulldog mix, adult male, maybe a year old. He has not been neutered, and he has fleas jumping all over him. There are scars on his back, from what I don't know. His ribs are showing, fur is sparse, and his skin has a rash. No collar, no tags, no surprise about that. But he is willing to trust me enough to take a treat. And after a lot of coaxing, he gets in the van. Now he is out of traffic. He will not be hit by a car. We drive to the shelter and get a kennel ready. Food and water and a dose of Advantage. He nuzzles against me as we settle him in. An hour later he is sleeping soundly; probably the first decent rest he has had in a long time. The fleas will not bite him any more. This dog does not have a name yet, but he has a kind spirit. He is thankful to be safe. He is not a hollywood beauty, but he has the right to live. Your donations make it possible for us to help these innocent animals, who cannot speak for themselves. Thank you for your support. Update: We have named this dog Barry, and he has been to the vet. He has heartworms that will need to be treated. Heartworms are very easy to prevent, but apparently nobody cared enough this dog to give him preventive. Posted 5-30-07: This week we took in a 5 month old puppy that was bought at the flea market around Easter time, a month or so ago. The people had paid several hundred dollars for this pup, but did not consider how they would care for it. These people work full time, so the puppy spent all day in a crate. And of course the pup was hyper when they finally got home and let him out. They were not home to house train the puppy; puppies must be taken out every few hours. Young puppies cannot "hold it" and they must be taught to go outside on a schedule. So this puppy has come into rescue to find a new home. If you are considering getting a puppy please think about whether it is right for you. Older dogs are usually a better choice for folks who are not home all the time, since the dog is already trained. Pet Network relies solely upon donations to help homeless pets. If you would like to help, donations can be sent to us at P.O. Box 56, Morriston, FL 32668. FOSTER HOMES NEEDED
We are looking for two foster homes in Ocala for our dogs. Foster care would last for 4 weeks, or less if the dog gets adopted. Foster parents care for a dog, providing food, shelter and love. Pet Network is responsible for any veterinary care, if necessary. The foster parent must be able to bring the dog to adoption on Saturdays.
The dogs we would like to place in foster care are Marci and Gypsy. They can both be seen on our pet list. Both Marci and Gypsy are housetrained; they are adult dogs and mellow. Marci weighs about 60 pounds and needs to be an only dog. Gypsy weighs about 40 pounds and is very sweet and easy to handle.
If you are able to foster a dog for us, please contact Mary;
floridapets@yahoo.com .
NEWSLETTER
Pet Network sends out a printed newsletter quarterly to keep our supporters updated on news, events, and our accomplishments. If you would like to receive our newsletter, please email us with your mailing address and we will be sure you get a copy!
If you would like to make a donation in memory of a beloved pet to be included in our newsletter, please send your donation along with a photo of the pet and the pet's name to: Pet Network, P.O. Box 56, Morriston, FL 32668.
DOG FOOD Can you help us care for homeless puppies and dogs by donating a bag of food? Your gift of $15 can provide 50 pounds of food for homeless pets. You can make an online donation now by using the PayPal button. Or mail your donation to:
Pet Network, Inc.
P.O. Box 56
Morriston, FL 32668 Pet Network has been granted exemption from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Donors may deduct contributions to Pet Network under section 170 of the Code. A copy of our current form 990 can be seen at www.guidestar.org
To Find out more
Call Mary: (352) 528-0270
or Email:
floridapets@yahoo.com
We do local adoptions only. We have an application process which includes a home visit. Our goal is to match the right pet to the right home!
THANK YOU!
Who We Are
Pet Network, Inc., is a no-kill rescue group serving the Ocala - Gainesville area of North Central FL. We provide shelter and medical care to abandoned and homeless dogs. We are a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501c3 charitable organization.
We care for and adopt many older and special needs dogs. We receive no government funding. We are an all-volunteer organization with no paid employees. All donations are used to care for homeless animals. Our major expenses are vet bills and dog food. Currently we have many dogs with special needs and vet bills. Donations are always appreciated!
Adopting a friend
Pet Network is a no-kill rescue group doing pet adoptions in Citrus, Marion, and Alachua Counties in FL. Dogs coming through our rescue are brought up to date on vaccinations, checked for heartworms and other parasites, placed on heartworm preventive, and spayed or neutered before placement. Come Visit Us!
Pet Network uses foster homes instead of a commercial animal shelter facility. Our dogs are shown by appointment. We hold outreach pet adoptions at the Tractor Supply on 441 in Marion County every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Let us know if you need directions!
Pet Network Inc.
P.O. Box 56
Morriston, FL 32668
Phone: (352) 528-0270
Email:
floridapets@yahoo.com
Click here for a complete list of pets at this shelter
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