NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2008

While Beagles die in shelter all across the nation every day, one litter receives a reprieve.

(COLUMBIA, Mo.) March 7, 2008 - The Central Missouri Humane Society (CMHS) has received inquiries from across the United States regarding a little Beagle who came to the animal shelter as a stray and who is unfortunately in the motherly way.

Ethical questions relating to animal welfare arose between staff members about pregnant animals being permitted to give birth in the shelter or rescues and about raising and rescuing puppies and kittens born while at the shelter. While these issues are too large to be resolved in a public forum, support has won the little Beagle's puppies a reprieve.

"Our Beagle gave birth to 7 little black and white puppies over night," said Lindsey Schroeder, CMHS Shelter Operations Coordinator. "They are resting comfortably in our veterinary clinic." Shelter managers held a meeting this morning and decided that the Beagle and her puppies will go into the CMHS foster care program until they are eligible for adoption.

"Our shelter takes in 9,000 unwanted and homeless pets each year. That's an average of 173 animals coming through the front door each week," explained Patty Forister, CMHS Executive Director. "We sincerely want to save as many lives as possible, but to do that we need more foster homes, more regular volunteers, and most importantly we need funding for a new facility."

"It's so important to spay and neuter," said Shelter Relations Coordinator, Heather Duren-Stubbs. "Irresponsible owners rely on shelters like us to assume responsibility for the animals they don't or won't care for. It's a heavy burden."

There are more than 7,000 Beagles and mixes listed on Petfinder.com and thousands more in unlisted shelters. Some will find homes and many will not, but the little CMHS Beagle's story should have a happy ending.

Donations to help the animals can be made to Central Missouri Humane Society,
616 Big Bear Blvd., Columbia, MO 65202, by phone at (573) 443-7387, or on the website.

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Contact: Patty Forister, Executive Director
Central Missouri Humane Society
(573) 443-7387
(573)443-PETS
Patty@cmhspets.org

NEWS RELEASE - Febuary 27, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(COLUMBIA, Mo.) February 27, 2008 – The Central Missouri Humane Society is providing transportation assistance to the Missouri Department of Agriculture possibly bringing 30 or more dogs back to its shelter at 616 Big Bear Blvd. The animals obtained from a commercial breeding facility will be housed at the Central Missouri Humane Society (CMHS) while each undergoes a health and temperament evaluation.

This group of animals will be the second large intake that the shelter has helped with this week. On Tuesday, CMHS took 13 dogs from a breeding facility that closed in Sedalia, MO. Additionally, CMHS is expecting 40 dogs from an estate on Friday.

“Even though caring for these animals will place a heavy burden on the organization, we feel it is essential to our mission to help them,” said Patty Forister, CMHS Executive Director. “We are working with other shelters and rescues to try to relieve our space issue. Many rescues have stepped up to help”.

“The breeder dogs are mostly little dogs; yorkies, schnauzer/poodle mixes, pomeranians, shih tzu’s and other poodle mixes” said Shelter Operations Coordinator, Lindsey Schroeder.

CMHS will host a “Yappy Hour” adoption event to showcase these new intakes on Saturday, March 1, 2008 from 6 to 9pm. CMHS plans to showcase the new animals at the event and interview potential adopters for all animals. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Our other adoptable animals will be available at this time as well.

Adopters are encouraged to get pre-qualified for adoption between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. any day of the week.

Donations to help the animals can be made to Central Missouri Humane Society, 616 Big Bear Blvd., Columbia, MO 65202, by phone at (573) 443-7387, or at www.cmhspets.org.