Humane Society

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- We're enjoying mild temperatures now but it won't be too long before we deal with wintry weather.  That's why the Southwest Missouri Humane Society advises pet owners to get ready for the frigid temperatures. If you have a doghouse, make sure the door is facing toward the south to southeast, check the roof for leaks, put a flap over the door and make sure the water dish is heated.   A common mistake is putting blankets inside.  "Your dog's paws get wet when they go into the snow, they get the blankets wet and they can freeze when they go back inside the doghouse," said Lesly Thurman, director of the Humane Society.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Southwest Missouri Humane Society fears hundreds more unwanted pets will be dropped at the shelter's door next year due to county spending cuts.  Pending approval, Greene County officials say next year Animal Control officers will not serve areas outside Springfield.  That decision leaves just one option for the more than 50,000 people living along county roads. Every day, dogs come to the Humane Society's shelter on Norton Road with wagging tails, hoping for a second chance.

VERSAILLES, Mo. -- Law enforcement in Morgan County and the Humane Society of Missouri are investigating two adult cats found shot with arrows in Versailles.  Both cats were shot in the neck with the arrows exiting near the shoulder. The cats, both males approximately 2 years old, have been named 'Patches' and 'Licorice' by their rescuers.  A local veterinarian is treating them for pain and infection, but Patches may lose a leg because of his injuries. Eventually, the two cats will be transferred to a Humane Society clinic in St. Louis for more care and possible adoption.

NEAR VIENNA, Mo. - A Maries County judge could decide this morning what will happen to 40 animals seized from a home. The sheriff told us the animals appeared to be starving to death when they searched the house last Thursday. Maries County authorities joined Humane Society and Department of Agriculture personnel in a warrant search at the home just outside Vienna, where they recovered and seized several farm animals. Deputies also found the remains of several farm animals, as well as many malnourished dogs, goats, pigs, cows, and horses.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Protecting your pet from heartworms should still be a priority even during the cold winter months ahead.  "Heartworms is a disease that isn't easy to cure," said Lesly Thurman with the Southwest Missouri Humane Society. The organization has setup a TLC fund to help pay for the treatment of animals with disease or illnesses like heartworms.  "Treatment is expensive and can be hard on a dog," said Thurman. The humane society has one dog with the disease.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo . -- The first annual Hound Dog Homecoming at the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri will be Saturday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Owners may register their dog for either homecoming king or queen, and the winners will be crowned at the homecoming ceremony on Oct. 2.  The king and queen and their court will be determined by who raises the most money for the Humane Society.  All proceeds will go directly to the care of the animals at the shelter waiting to be adopted.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Animal care inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture worked in conjunction with the Stone County Sheriff's Department and the Humane Society of Missouri to remove small dogs from an unlicensed breeder in Crane on Tuesday.  Dogs removed include pugs, chihuahuas, shih tzus and poodles.  Following a tip, animal health officers from the Missouri Department of Agriculture visited the home of Annie Hill and identified...

Branson, MO -Animal care inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture worked in conjunction with the Taney County Health Department, Taney County Sheriff's Office and the Humane Society of Missouri to remove dogs from an unlicensed facility operating as an animal rescue in Taney County today. Approximately 90 animals, including birds, cats, rabbits, ferrets and chinchillas, as well as 40 dogs, were removed from the facility near Branson. The animals were found living in inadequate housing, unsanitary conditions and without food.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A trailer full of dogs pulled up to their new home on Tuesday, several counties away from where they started.   Twenty-three out of more than 100 dogs from a puppy mill in Camden County were brought here to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri.  The breeder himself brought in rescuers. "It really was an urgent plea for help from the puppy mill owner," said Tim Rickey, senior director with the ASPCA, a national animal rescue group. "The call that went out was that they didn't have money to take care of the animals and needed to get rid of all of them.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Greene County judge convicted two people this week for abusing animals two years ago.  The trial of Kevin Luske and Dorris Zimmerman followed a raid at a property on Highway H north of Springfield on Feb. 20, 2009. Sheriff’s deputies and rescuers from the Humane Society of Missouri seized three horses, 44 cattle and 20 pit bull terrier adults and puppies during the raid.  Jeff McRoy, an investigator for the Humane Society of Missouri, described the cattle as “emaciated, bones showing, in definite need of medical care.

KIRBYVILLE, Mo. -- Don and Linda Burke saw their small farm as a type of rescue for animals.  Missouri state workers saw it differently.  On March 27, investigators from the Missouri Department of Agriculture loaded up 73 cats and 24 dogs that were in the care of the couple in Taney County.  In an official state report, investigators cited what they called an environment "unhealthy for animals. " The Burkes are self-proclaimed animal lovers who have been taking in pets for more than 35 years.

NEAR VIENNA, Mo. - A Maries County judge could decide this morning what will happen to 40 animals seized from a home. The sheriff told us the animals appeared to be starving to death when they searched the house last Thursday. Maries County authorities joined Humane Society and Department of Agriculture personnel in a warrant search at the home just outside Vienna, where they recovered and seized several farm animals. Deputies also found the remains of several farm animals, as well as many malnourished dogs, goats, pigs, cows, and horses.

VERSAILLES, Mo. -- Law enforcement in Morgan County and the Humane Society of Missouri are investigating two adult cats found shot with arrows in Versailles.  Both cats were shot in the neck with the arrows exiting near the shoulder. The cats, both males approximately 2 years old, have been named 'Patches' and 'Licorice' by their rescuers.  A local veterinarian is treating them for pain and infection, but Patches may lose a leg because of his injuries. Eventually, the two cats will be transferred to a Humane Society clinic in St. Louis for more care and possible adoption.

FAIR GROVE, Mo. -- On Saturday, the Missouri Autism Report will host the Fair Grove Autism Day bene¿t in historical downtown Fair Grove.  This family-friendly event runs from 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.  It includes: • Bounce houses • Face painting, • Miniature horse rides • Children¿s haircut specials • Limousine rides • Chair massages • Antique and classic car show • Pet adoptions from Humane Society...

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. -- A 3-year boy is recovering from severe trauma and bite wounds around his face and head after the family's pit bull attacked him around 9 a.m. Thursday.  The  Baxter County Sheriff's Department says the hospital in Mountain Home contacted it to report a child had been brought to the Emergency Room by private vehicle.  Investigators say the boy's mother, Amber Moody, told them her son, Ryland Moody, was attacked and bitten...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Humane Society of Southwest Missouri said Tuesday that its board hired Darin Landrum of McAllen, Texas, as its new executive director.  Landrum started working here on March 1. Landrum's professional experience encompasses 12 years of leading various animal care and control programs.  He managed the day-to-day operations of facilities of various sizes -- from those handling a few thousand animals a year to much larger ones handling in excess of 50,000 animals a year.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Animal care inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture worked in conjunction with the Stone County Sheriff's Department and the Humane Society of Missouri to remove small dogs from an unlicensed breeder in Crane on Tuesday.  Dogs removed include pugs, chihuahuas, shih tzus and poodles.  Following a tip, animal health officers from the Missouri Department of Agriculture visited the home of Annie Hill and identified...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Southwest Missouri Humane Society fears hundreds more unwanted pets will be dropped at the shelter's door next year due to county spending cuts.  Pending approval, Greene County officials say next year Animal Control officers will not serve areas outside Springfield.  That decision leaves just one option for the more than 50,000 people living along county roads. Every day, dogs come to the Humane Society's shelter on Norton Road with wagging tails, hoping for a second chance.

Branson, MO -Animal care inspectors from the Missouri Department of Agriculture worked in conjunction with the Taney County Health Department, Taney County Sheriff's Office and the Humane Society of Missouri to remove dogs from an unlicensed facility operating as an animal rescue in Taney County today. Approximately 90 animals, including birds, cats, rabbits, ferrets and chinchillas, as well as 40 dogs, were removed from the facility near Branson. The animals were found living in inadequate housing, unsanitary conditions and without food.

JOPLIN--Mo. The goal is to make sure more than 600 animals go to a good home. Some people traveled hundreds of miles to help those with four legs. The Joplin Humane Society hosted the Adopt-a-thon for displaced animals. While no one will ever know what she has been through, one little dog now has a fresh start. "I think I can give her a loving home," said Michelle Alva. Alva drove all the way from Plato with hopes of rescuing at least one canine. "They really need special people to take care of them," said Alva.