VHS Blog

Summer Pet Safety Tips

Jul 01, 2019

It's hot, Don! Summer has officially arrived, and so have the dangers associated with very hot temperatures. Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe and happy this summer.First and foremost, FIREWORKS!Do not take your pet to fireworks displays. If you're considering it... just don't. They do not want to be there. You do, but they don't. Leave them at home.During the time of June 29th-July 9th in Vanderburgh County, fireworks can legally be set off during certain h...

Wildlife Tips: What to Do If You Find "Orphaned" Babies!

Jun 02, 2019

There is one specific thing that our community's people can do to most effectively help wildlife who appear to have been abandoned.And that is: nothing.Really. Nothing. We get frantic calls frequently this time of year about people finding "abandoned nests of baby bunnies" or an "abandoned baby bird" or various other manner of "abandoned" wildlife. Here are a few things to remember regarding wildlife in southwestern Indiana.1) The babies are most likely NOT...

The No-Kill Myth

Jan 04, 2019

It's one of the first things people notice about an animal shelter or rescue organization these days. Some people even ask us outright. "Are you no-kill?" "Are you a kill shelter?"The answer to both of those questions is no. Here's why."No-kill" is nothing more than a marketing term designed to present an emotional appeal to the public. What it actually does is far more damaging. You've probably seen the Facebook posts with trendy terms like "k...

Hoarding: The Problem With: "If Only I Had a Big Farm..."

Jul 31, 2018

One of the phrases we hear most often in sheltering is "If only I had a big farm..." followed by something like, "I'd take them all home," "I'd start my own rescue," "I'd be a crazy dog lady," etc.As lighthearted as the intent is, what they actually mean is... "If only I could be a hoarder." That's the underlying message that can lie behind innocent statements about wanting to help as many animals as possible. Of course most ...

The "Emotional Support" Blog

Jun 29, 2018

Emotional support animals are all the rage right now. It seems as though everyone has one. But technically... there's really no such thing.First, let's distinguish the difference between an "emotional support animal" and a service animal.Service DogsAccording to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, actual service dogs must be trained to perform a task. And yes, they can only be dogs -- no other species are currently protected under the ADA as service animals (exce...

Advice Regarding Lost and Found Pets

Jun 20, 2017

The staff at the VHS receive many calls each day regarding people finding an animal or losing their beloved pet. We want to help as many owners and pets as possible get reunited. The following is some advice that we regularly issue to our callers to assist them in doing all they can do to help a lost or found pet get returned to their family safely.Accidents happen but PLEASE REMEMBER that prevention is the best way to avoid the heartache of losing a fuzzy family member.Keep up to date tags on y...