We recently found our forever homes!

 No More Bullying!® Coming To A School Near You

Pop quiz: what do bullying and animal cruelty have in common? Answer: kids who bully are more likely to be cruel to animals as well, according to recent studies. The Humane Society of Summit County is working to address that issue this year through a free program called No More Bullying!®. We are able to offer and expand this program thanks to a grant from The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust. Targeted towards 3rd – 5th graders, the interactive program teaches kids how to prevent bullying and violence, while teaching compassion for animals and people through five separate one-hour sessions led by Adam Karson, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Humane Society of Summit County. Each session focuses on one of the Five Core Values:

• Responsibility
• Compassion
• Being Humane
• Self-control
• Integrity

No More Bullying!® can be used in school classrooms, summer camps, after school clubs or other youth programs. To schedule a No More Bullying!® program at your school or youth program, or to learn more, contact Adam at [email protected].

HSSC rescued 100 pets from hoarding situations last year

Animal hoarding is on the rise in Summit County. Over the past year alone, HSSC assisted with three separate hoarding investigations, the largest one resulting in a rescue of 7 puppies, 15 dogs, 15 birds, 10 cats, and 3 kittens, all living in deplorable conditions. The other two rescues involved 19 beagles/beagle dachshund mix dogs and puppies and more than 30 cats. Almost all the animals were malnourished and infested with fleas and other ailments.

Hoarding occurs when someone acquires more animals than can be adequately cared for in a safe environment. While it may be convenient to dismiss hoarders as being negligent or having malicious intent, it’s not that simple. Medical experts who study animal hoarding refer to it as a psychiatric illness, in that the hoarders desire to care for the animals but are too overwhelmed and under resourced to do so properly.

Just because someone owns several pets does not automatically classify them as a hoarder. However, the following conditions could indicate a hoarding situation:

• Animals are lethargic, underweight and show behavioral conflict
• The individual insists all the animals are healthy and happy – even though there are clear indications of illness and distress
• The owner has several animals and is unsure of how many pets they have in their care
• Fleas and vermin are present
• Their home is deteriorated (clutter, broken furniture, holes in the wall, dirty windows)

Here at HSSC, we are thankful for our trained Humane Agents, medical team, kennel staff and adoption staff who work countless hours to rescue, provide the necessary medical care, behavioral assessments, and love to each one of the rescued animals in the past year. Hayes, one of the last remaining cats from the large hoarding case, and this month’s Extended Resident feature, is currently up for adoption. To meet Hayes or any of our other adoptable animals, contact us today at (330) 487-0333 ext. 226 to schedule an appointment.