Hospital News:
                       
                        


Winter Dental Special:
For the months of January and February we will be performing dental cleanings for 10% off!  We will also have a discount on all of our dental products including toothpaste, tooth brushes and chews.  Please contact the clinic by telephone or email for details!




Pet Food Drive 2009:
We will be having the 4th Annual Pet Food Drive for the senior citizens and their pets that are in the meals on wheels program in Sevierville.  You can make donations anytime during regular business hours at the clinic from November 1st until December 17th.  We will be collecting dog, cat, puppy and kitten dry and canned food, treats and toys.  (smaller bags are easier for the seniors to handle, but they will take ANY sizes).
 
                                                                                 

Please help us support these local families in need!  You can email or call the clinic for any additional information. 

12/18/09:  The food drive was another HUGE success this year.  THANK YOU so much to everyone who made donations!  We will have a grand total by the end of the day today.

100 bags of dog and cat food, 41 cans of dog and cat food, 8 bags of treats and many toys!

October Event - Halloween Pet Costume Contest:

From October 7th to October 30th we will be having a pet costume contest for your 4-legged pets!  You can bring your pet by anytime during our regular business hours and we will take a picture and post it in the lobby and on the website for viewers to vote.  Polls will officially close on Friday October 30th at 5pm and the winner will be announced on the website!  There will be a prize awarded to the 1st place pet.  For any questions please email us at boydscreekvet@yahoo.com.  Pictures will be posted under the Halloween Contest Tab.

1st Place Winner ~ "Kingston" Sims UT Football Player
2nd Place Runner Up ~ "Smorzie" Hamilton Rag Muffin

Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest!



Holiday Candles are on the way!

Come by and pick your favorite today.  If you have special candle requests please email us and we will see if they are available on the next order :).


A Day at the Spa:  

Due to immense popularity, we are extending the Furminator with Bath SPECIAL!   The Furminator De-shedding Tool used regularly can reduce shedding up to 80%.  It is great for long or short haired cats and dogs!  The cost is $5.00 for 15 minutes and $10.00 for 30 minutes.  FREE toe nail trimming and ear cleanings are included in the bath price. We also can give your pet a Summer Shave Down and file/dremel nails.  Anal gland expression, ear hair plucking and sanitary patches are available upon request.  You can call or email to schedule your pets appointment or if you have any questions!






March Open House:

We will be having an Open House on Saturday March 14th from 8am to 12pm.  Please bring your 2 legged and 4 legged kids to the event because there will be something for everyone!  We are having a raffle for a FREE Dental as well as a coloring contest for kids.  With a $1.00 donation to help pets in need of care, you will be able to enter another raffle to win a FREE Bissell Spot Bot cleaner! There will be complimentary baked goods and soft drinks.  We will also be performing complimentary toe nail trimming, ear cleaning and dental evaluations for anyone who is interested.  A furminator will be on hand for trial and demonstrations as well.  A Pet First Aid table will be set up too with tons of information to help keep your pet safe.  Please stop by and meet Dr. Brandi, visit with the staff and even tour our facility!!!  If you have any additional questions you can call the clinic or send us an email.




We wanted to say Thank You to everyone who came up to the Open House despite the very rainy weather!!!  We had a great time and hope you did too!  We are hoping to be able to have an event like this once a year and would love feedback on it.  Congratulations to the following winners of the raffles:

Coloring Contest-
1st Place - Morgan Robertson
Runner Up - Bradey Russell

FREE Dental Cleaning - Debbie Whitted and "Bella"
FREE Heartworm Test - Mike Kastura and "Macey"
FREE Spa Day - Stacy McCarter and "Buddy"

Bissell Spot Bot Cleaner - Erica Fannon

Congrats to everyone else who took home prizes from the raffle!!!

                             

Pet Food Drive 2008:

Our 3rd annual pet food drive was a great success!  All together we collected 31 bags of dry dog and cat food, 18 bags of dog treats and several dog and cat toys.  We want to give a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who donated to the Pet Food Drive to help families and their pets in the Meals on Wheels program in Sevierville.  
                                      

NEW Pet Food RECALL:

Mars Pet Care US Issues Voluntary Recall of Everson, PA Plant Dry Pet Food Product due to Potential Salmonella Contamination-

Pet Pride, Pedigree, Ol Roy, Special Kitty and others are among the recall list.  For a full detailed list of the foods recalled see www.petcare.mars.com/ for more details.


For Immediate Release:
August 4, 2008

Boyd's Creek Animal Hospital Receives AAHA Accreditation:
"Accredited AAHA member since 2005"

Boyds Creek Animal Hospital of Seymour TN has again received accreditation following a comprehensive evalution by the American Animal Hospital Association.  The evaluation includes a quality assessment review of the hospital's facility, medical equiptment, practice methods and pet health care management. 

Only 15 percent of all small animal veterinary practices in the U.S. have achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association.  In order to maintain accredited status, Boyds Creek Animal Hospital must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association's consult.

"Boyd's Creek Animal Hospital belongs to a select group of practices that are commited to meeting the highest standards in veterinary medicine," says Anna Worth, VMD, AAHA President.  " AAHA hospitals pass a stringent evaluation of over 900 standards covering patient care, client service and medical protocols.  By attaining accreditation, Boyd's Creek Animal Hospital is demnstrating its dedication to offering the best care to its patients and clients."  

Established in 1933, the American Animal Hospital Association is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices throughout the U.S. and Canada for dedication to high standards of veterinary care.  Approximately 3,000 AAHA-accredited practices pass regular review of AAHA's stringent accreditation standards that cover patient care, client service and medical protocals.  For pet care information or referral to an AAHA- accredited practice, visit www.healthypet.com. 


                                                                                           






        
Since winter time is just around the corner, we recommend trying out the FURMINATOR!!!

This de-Shedding Tool can reduce shedding up to 80%!  The furminator is great for long or short-haired cats and dogs.  Monthly treatments keep shedding to a minimum.  

Your pet can recieve treatment here or you may purchase the tool to treat your pet at home.    
 
                       

Pet Insurance: Progressive Insurance's collision policies now cover pets injured in auto accidents.  The policy covers $500 worth of veterinary bills and medicine at no extra cost.  Customers pay the bills, and Progressive reimburses them (although other deductibles, maximums, and coinsurance costs may apply).                                              



November-December 2007:  

The Pet Food Drive 2007 was a HUGE success!  We collected 48 bags of food, 9 cases of food, several cans of food and a bag full of toys.  Thank you for all of your help and support!!!                                                                






September 2007: 

On Friday September the 14 we are holding a Client Appreciation Day!  Complete blood chemistry panels will be ran for $25.00.  This is a $90-$100.00 value!  Call or email to schedule an appoinment.
Congrats to the Lanier family who won a FREE annual exam and to the Livernois family who won a FREE dental on Client Appreciation Day!!!

                                  



August 2007: 

We are offering a FREE shedding treatment with a bath for the month of August!  
                         
July 2007:  Cat Neuter Day was a success!                                            

       
April 1, 2007:
PET FOOD RECALL. Dozens of animals develop acute kidney failure after eating popular canned and moist pet foods.
Friday, March 30th, the FDA announced the Melamine, not aminopterine, was the contaminant responsible for the recent Menu Foods pet food recall. Melamine is a chemical used in plastics and countertops, and is also used as a fertilizer is some countries.  Testing by the FDA showed that melamine was found in the wheat gluten, the food, and in the urine and kidneys of affected cats. For now, aminopterine is not considered to be the toxin - melamine is.

Purina announced the voluntary recall of Alpo Prime Cuts and Gravy with specific product codes. Further information can be found at www.purina.com.

Hills announced the recall of their DRY prescription cat food M/D.  Please visit www.hillspet.com for updates.

It is uncertain at this time if other dry pet foods will be recalled. Wheat gluten is used as a thickening agent for canned foods, but is used by some manufacturers for dry pet foods as well.

We will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

3-27-07
Yesterday, the contaminant of the wheat gluten was identified as Aminopterin, a rat poison illegal in the U.S., but currently used in several foreign countries. It is uncertain at this time how the aminopterin contamination occurred.

Our VIN (veterinary information network) has provided us with this information about aminopterin. What is Aminopterin?Aminopterin (4-aminopteroic acid) is an inhibitor of folic acid synthesis. It was originally used as a chemotherapy agent in the 1960's, but was superseded by methotrexate, a related, but less toxic, inhibitor of folic acid synthesis. Methotrexate is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders.
We have listed the recalled pet foods below. A link to the specific lot numbers and/or UPC codes can be found at www.fda.gov and at www.menufoods.com. If you have been feeding your pets any of the listed brands, we recommend the following:

1.) Discontinue feeding the listed pet food brands immediately!
2.) If you can confirm that you have fed a product whose serial or lot number or UPC is on the list, save all unopened cans or pouches. Find any empty cans or pouches that may still be in your garbage and save them in plastic bags. Make an immediate appointment to have you pet examined and kidney function evaluated via laboratory testing.
3.) If you have been feeding one of the foods on the list, but with different serial or lot numbers, we advise NOT continuing to feed these foods since the recall list may be expanded to include those batches of food. Please save these foods in case they are added to the recall so that they may be submitted for analysis if indicated.
4.) If your pet has been eating one of the types of foods on the recall list, but you don't know if they have ever eaten one of the known affected batches, we advised that you make an appointment to have laboratory evaluation of kidney function performed. The appointment should be immediate if there are any signs of kidney problems, even if you cannot confirm lot or serial numbers as being in the current recall.
At this time we do not know what, if any, costs of diagnostic testing or treatment will be reimbursed by the manufacturer. We require payment at the time of services and recommend that all receipts and product packaging be saved and associated costs documented. We will fully cooperate in collecting any and all evidence that may be necessary in detecting any link between a pet's illness and this terrible incident.

Please call us at 577-2738 if you have a question regarding the pet food recall. We will help in any way that we can. Please note that this recall does NOT include dry pet food. If you are feeding your pets dry food only, no change is necessary at this time. 
Call 1-866-895-2708 for Recall information, or visit www.menufoods.com. The following brands (wet and moist foods) have been recalled:

DOG BRANDS
1.) America's Choice Preferred Pets
2.) Authority
3.) Award
4.) Best Choice
5.) Big Bet
6.) Big Red
7.) Bloom
8.) Bruiser
9.) Cadillac
10) Companion
11.) Delicious Market Basket
12.) Eukanuba
13.) Food Lion
14.) Giant Companion
15.) Great Choice
16.) Hannaford
17.) Hill Country Fare
18.) Hy-vee
19.) Iams
20.) Laura Lynn
21.) Loving Meals
22.) Meijers Main Choice
23.) Mighty Dog Pouch
24.) Mixables
25.) Nutriplan
26.) Nutro Max
27.) Nutro Naturals Choice
28.) Nutro Ultra
29.) Nutro
30.) Old Roy Canada
31.) Old Roy USA
32.) Paws
33.) Pet Essentials
34.) Pet Pride Good and Meaty
35.) President's Choice
36.) Price Chopper
37.) Priority Canada
38.) Priority US
39.) Publix
40.) Roche Bros
41.) Save a Lot
42.) Schnucks
43.) Shep Dog
44.) Springfield Prize
45.) Sprout
46.) Stater Bros
47.) Stop and Stop Companion
48.) Top Companion
49.) Weis Total Pet
50.) Western Family
51.) White Rose
52.) Winn Dixie
53.) Your Pet

CAT FOODS
1.) America's Choice Preferred Pets
2.) Authority
3.) Best Choice
4.) Companion
5.) Compliments
6.) Demoulas Market Basket
7.) Eukanuba
8.) Fine Feline Cat
9.) Food Lion
10.) Food Town
11.) Giant Companion
12.) Hannaford
13.) Hill Country Fare
14.) Hy-Vee
15.) Iams
16.) Laura Lynn
17.) Little Red
18.) Loving Meals
19.) Meijer's Main Choice
20.) Nutriplan
21.) NutroMax Gourmet Classics
22.) Nutro Naturals Choice
23.) Paws
24.) Pet Pride
25.) President's Choice
26.) Price Chopper
27.) Priority
28.) Save A Lot
29.) Schnucks
30.) Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans
31.) Sophistacat
32.) Special Kitty Canada
33.) Special Kitty USA
34.) Springfield Prize
35.) Sprout
36.) Stop and Shop Companion
37.) Tops Companion
38.) Wegmans
39.) Weis Total Pet
40.) Western Family US
41.) White Rose
42.) Winn Dixie

US-CANCER INITIATIVE:

Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) announced the launch of a $30 million effort to cure cancer within the next 10 to 20 years.  This global cancer cure initiative is attracting major corporate support including a $1.1 million dollar donation from Pfizer Animal Health.  In addition to corporate sponsorships, MAF's goal is to get 1% of the 44 million dog-owning households in the US to make a donation of at least $50 in the name of their present dog(s), pet dogs of the past, and/or on behalf of a puppy of the future, for a total of $22 million.  Donations can be made by calling toll-free 1-877-DOG-CURE, or by donating on the Web at: www.curecaninecancer.org or at www.morrrisanimalfoundation.org. 


Head of the Class:
Determining the intelligence of a breed of dog isn't as easy as administering an IQ test, but there are some breeds that easily move to the head of the class, including herders and working dogs.  Because they were bred to work with humans, they are responsive in tune with their human counterparts.  Here's a list of the top 10 smartest breeds:

1.) Border Collie
2.) Poodle
3.) German Shepherd
4.) Golden Retriever
5.) Doberman Pinscher
6.) Shetland Sheepdog
7.) Labrador Retriever
8.) Papillion
9.) Rottweiler
10.) Australian Cattle Dog     

                                                                      

"Hi, Max. I'm Max."



Max is the most popular name for cats and dogs, according to a survey of given names of more than 450,000 pets.  Some of the names, like Jake(Jacob), Bella(Isabella), and Sophia(Sophie), also rank in the top 10 most common baby names, according to the Social Security Administration.  Apparently, a parent is a parent.
               Dogs                               Cats
1. Max        6. Maggie          1. Max       6. Smokey
2. Molly      7. Daisy             2. Chloe     7. Oliver
3. Buddy     8. Jake               3. Lucy      8. Bella
4. Bella       9. Bailey             4. Tigger    9. Sophie
5. Lucy      10. Rocky           5. Tiger     10. Princess  

Warning to Owners:

Don't give these sweets to your dogs!

Xylitol, a sugar substitute used in many products, including sugar-free gum and mints, chewable vitamins, oral-care products and baked goods, can be highly fatal to your dog if ingested. Xylitol is a popular sweetener in Europe and Japan, and its use as a sweetener in the United States has grown rapidly over the last few years. While xylitol consumption is considered safe in people, dogs are different story altogether.

Xylitol's ability to cause low blood sugar in dogs has been known for almost 40 years. However, a recent study has found that xylitol also can cause acute liver failure in man's best friend. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has released its findings from a study of eight dogs that developed liver failure and blood clotting disorders after ingesting xylitol. These dogs had accidentally eaten a variety of products containing xylitol, including cookies, gum, cupcakes, xylitol powder, and muffins. Five of the eight dogs were euthanized or died because of liver failure.

While xylitol causes little-to-no insulin release in people, it does cause a rapid and profound insulin release in dogs. As early as 30 minutes and up to 12 hours after eating xylitol, a dog's blood sugar can plummet, causing lethargy, vomiting, collapse, seizures, and even death. In addition, some dogs will develop decreased blood potassium and phosphorous levels and increased liver enzymes. In severe cases, massive liver damage, liver failure, and loss of blood clotting abilities can occur, leading to death. The lowest estimated dose of xylitol associated with liver failure is 1 gram per pound that's about 5 sticks of gum per 1 pound of dog. However, blood sugar abnormalities can occur with a much smaller amount. Any xylitol ingestion by a dog should be considered potentially life-threatening.

Pet owners: if you are diabetic or watching your diets by using xylitol-sweetened products, please keep them out of the reach of your pets. If your dog consumes even the smallest amount of a xylitol-containing product, it is crucial to seek veterinary treatment immediately. Your dog will need to be hospitalized for at least 24 hours and monitored so that care can be given should his or her blood sugar drop. In addition, supportive care may be needed for the next 72 hours for possible liver damage. Rapid, aggressive treatment is the best way to increase your dog's chance of surviving this deadly treat.

Brandi Maples, DVM

Boyds Creek Animal Hospital

Seymour, TN

                                   

                                                                                


Cat Neuter Day:
Cat neuter day was a huge success!  We neutered 33 cats all together in an effort to help control overpopulation in our community.  Continue to check our hospital news page for upcoming events and the next cat neuter day!!


 

 

 


Dr. Becky went to the North American Veterinary Conference in Florida for 5 days in early January. She spent over 35 hours attending lectures, labs, and demonstrations on a variety of topics in veterinary medicine taught by specialists from around the globe. With veterinary medicine changing and evolving so rapidly, it is very important to continue to attend continuing education sessions. Becky's committment to furthering her knowledge, combined with her love of animals, shows in all that she does.

Dr. Laura recently traveled to Orlando Florida in April 2006 to attend an advanced ultrasound course.  She trained under Dr. Clifford Berry, a specialist in veterinary radiology.  Dr. Devlin has been performing abdominal ultrasounds since 2001.  BCAH now offers echocardiograms and full ultrasounds!Dr. Becky ran in a marathon in June in San Diego California for her Leukemia Team in Training in June 2006. Benefits from this marathon went towards helping the Leukemia Society fight cancer!  She trained   extremely hard for this event, and raised over $4000 for the cause. Way to go Dr. Becky!

Update on the Hurricane Katrina Animal Relief Effort   9-21-05   Renee and I are home from our week in Louisiana. We returned home this past weekend, both drained, but safe. Thank you again, everyone, who supported our trip with donations, thoughts, and prayers. The community has been wonderful.   Renee and I were stationed in Gonzales, Louisiana, at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, about 45 miles outside of New Orleans. There were over 3000 animals being housed in crates and stalls, and more were arriving daily. There were hundreds of volunteers over the weekend, and there was activity and controlled chaos every throughout the day and night. Emotions ran high as volunteers and animal rescue workers raced the clock to save animals from New Orleans and surrounding parishes. When we arrived, almost two weeks had passed, and time was running out for the animal survivors of the Katrina.   9-7-05, 10pmTwo hours earlier, I received my deployment information from the HS DART team. I will be leaving on Saturday, September 10th, to join the Humane Society rescue team in Gonzales, Louisiana. My husband and I are both a little apprehensive about what the next week will bring, and if the trip will be safe. I am saying prayers that God will accompany me on my travels, and will give me the energy and strength I will need to allow me to make a difference for the thousands of animals who so desperately need help. I will leave the clinic in the wonderful and competent care of Dr. Becky DeBolt and staff, whom you all know and love. Dr. Becky may try to also go to Louisana later in the month if she is needed. 9-7-05We have received information that animal relief efforts in Louisiana have been hampered by the difficulties of reaching areas where animals are stranded in New Orleans. Temporary shelters in Baton Rouge and Slidell are overflowing with animals. Rescue groups are working together to develop a database to help owner locate their pets. In addition, there is an ongoing urgent need for monetary dontations and veterinary medical supplies, including vaccines, antibiotics, and wound care items. We are looking into the logistics of sending another team to either Baton Rouge or S. Mississippi for 7-10 days to assist animal rescue workers on site. We will continue to accept donations in order to purchase veterinary medical items, crates, disinfectants, and other supplies to ship to areas in need.Yesterday, we examined and vaccinated our 1st 4 pets owned by flood evacuees. The animals will be staying indefinitely at Linsmoor Kennels on Hwy. 411. If you can share your home and fenced yard with dogs and cats, please contact us and we will add you name to our list. Over the next months, we expect the shelters in the southeast to be filled to capacity with animals needing to be adopted or placed into foster homes. 9-6-2005 (More Photos Below)In response to Hurricane Katrina, our wonderful hospital staff organized an animal relief effort to aid the thousands of lost, injured, and starving animals following the hurricane from last week. Thanks to our many friends and the media, word spread of our efforts, and we were overwhelmed with the outpouring of generous donations from individuals, veterinarians and veterinary hospitals, and organizations across East Tennessee. It was amazing, to say the least.In just 5 short days, we were able to raise over $13,000.00 in monetary donations!! (and the donations continue to come in) In addition, the donations of pet foods, water, blankets and towels, rugs, collars and leashes, litter and litter boxes, crates and kennels, numerous other supplies, and much-needed veterinary medical supplies FILLED a 26 foot truck and a 14 foot truck to the max. We received, literally, tons of food and supplies. Many of you stopped by to share your stories and your concerns, and we very much appreciated your help with the packing and loading of the trucks, the food, drinks and radios for our crew, and your prayers for our safety and success.As the week progressed, our emotions at the hospital ranged from sheer excitement and joy from the ability to help, to fatigue, to tears of sorrow for the human and animal victims, and tears of gratitude for the generosity of our neighbors. I can only say "thank you" again and again for your kindness, your goodness, and your compassion for the animals. Saturday morning, at 6am, licensed veterinary technician Renee Householder, her mother Gigi, my husband Steve, and I began the drive from Knoxville to Jackson, Mississippi. We packed all of the food, water, toiletries, and extra gasoline that we thought we might need for the next 3 days. The trucks were full and heavy, and the going was slow. We stopped often to fuel, uncertain of the gas availability further south. Thankfully the traffic was light on the interstates, giving us plenty of room to maneuver as none of us are licensed truck drivers. With that said, you should have seen Renee drive her rig! Way to go Renee! She's a natural.Fuel shortages worsened the further south we traveled. Lines in Alabama were long, and each vehicle was limited to a $25.00 max in fuel. Outside of Birmingham, we were very blessed to have been permitted to completely fill the biggest truck with diesel once we explained the meaning of our trip. Our "quick" lunch stop turned into an over 2-hour delay due to the fuel shortages. Back on the road, Meridian west to Jackson was still without power, and the gas stations sat closed and dark. Jackson, thankfully, recently had power restored, and gas stations were open. However, the lines were hours long, and police officers were needed to maintain peace. We heard rumors of desperate people siphoning gas from parked cars, and the highways and roads had many abandoned cars lining the roadsides. The nearest diesel was thought to be at least 30 miles away from the fairgrounds, and we had little choice to return our rental trucks almost empty. Luckily, the Budget and U-Haul companies offered to wave the refueling surcharges due to the shortages. We arrived at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds Saturday afternoon. It was amazing to see the sheer number of people coming and going from the coliseum, one of the many shelters in town that was housing thousands of evacuees from the storm. The fairgrounds were immense, and the back parking lots were teeming with hundreds of utility trucks and their volunteers who had traveled from all across the nation to lend their aid. We parked out front of Barn 8, amidst the many animal rescue trucks. Included, were the VMAT-2 Team, HS Dart, ASPCA, Humane Society of Spartanburg, Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine, and many local rescue organizations. The fairgrounds was the first staging area for the animal rescue efforts in Mississippi, and as roads slowly opened further south over the weekend, teams of animal rescuers were leaving the fairgrounds and moving closer to the hardest-hit areas. Hundreds of small animals were being housed in Barn 8.The left side of the building contained over a hundred animals owned by evacuees taking refuge in town. Many people had lost everything, and took great comfort from being able to visit with their pets and spend time with them. Other people looked dazed, walking and sitting with their pets, seemingly oblivious to the activities around them. The right side of the Barn 8 housed both stray animals that had been found after the storm and also animals that had been brought to Jackson after being evacuated or saved from other shelters. The night before we arrived, HSUS rescuers, working with the Humane Society of South Mississippi, picked up 42 cats and 89 dogs in Gulfport, MS, and brought them to the fairgrounds. There, the animals were triaged and decontaminated a nearby waste treatment plant in Gulfport had overflowed and flooded the animal shelter (which had survived the storm) covering the animals in human waste. There was quite a bit of confusion among the different rescue groups, and the care of the animals at the fairgrounds continued to change hands. Once we located some of the people in charge, we were directed to unload into the arena immediately behind Barn 8. We had alot of help from volunteers, and our supplies were met with thanks and gratitude. Almost immediately, animal caretakers began loading up cedar shavings, bowls, food, and bottled water to take to the animals. Our veterinary medical supplies were VERY MUCH in need. The teams were very limited on their medical supplies, needing drugs for diarrhea and the quickly spreading upper respiratory outbreaks among the animals. The Advantage and Frontline were a blessing, as many of the animals had fleas and ticks. It took much of Saturday evening to unload and for Renee and I to obtain approval from the MS State Veterinary Jim Watson to work with the animals. We made camp in the back of our Budget Truck Saturday night, and slept, exhausted, until the following morning. Up early, we had breakfast and then began the immense task of organizing all of the donations. Renee and I administered morning and afternoon treatments to the sick animals, and otherwise organized supplies. Gigi and Renee handed out bones and toys to the animals, and it was so wonderful to be able to give people small comfort for their pets. Steve organized pet foods and supplies, and was in charge of returning the rental trucks. Our donations absolutely made a great difference for the pet owners. Treats, a new collar and leash, and some toys made it like Christmas for them. The wire kennels were put into use the very next day, many to house cats that were crowded and overheating in plastic pet carriers. The pet carriers we brought were also much needed, and were being used for transporting animals to other humane societies, and to send with pet owners who were traveling to other states with their pets. Without exaggerating, our veterinary medical supplies became the bulk of veterinary medicine supplies for the animals at the fairgrounds. It was amazing to us how poorly stocked the animal efforts were at that site! They did not have basic wound care or surgical supplies, common antibiotics, or diarrhea/dehydration treatments. They were also very short on cleaning and disinfecting supplies, including hand sanitizers. Our donations basically stocked their treatment area and created an animal MASH unit.  As the weeks go on, please continue to remember the many animals and their needs in your prayers and monetary donations. Shelters across the southeast will be overwhelmed, and those shelters that were destroyed will need to rebuild. The cost will be immense. You can help, also, by fostering and adopting animals from our local humane society and local rescue organizations. Continue to check