CHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Are Not Going to the Dogs-The Dogs are Coming to the RiverKings

Published on January 20, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—The RiverKings will spotlight the Olive Branch Humane Society during their Friday, Jan. 23 game at 7:05 p.m. game against the Indianapolis Ice.

The Humane Society will sell tickets to the game as a fundraiser. Fifty percent of the ticket price will go to help the organization. During the game, the group will have some animals in kennels on the concourse available for adoption, as well as a raffle and silent auction at their booth.

The Humane Society works hand in hand with the City of Olive Branch to find happy homes for animals as fast as possible. When the city catches an animal on the street, it is quarantined for five days to allow the owner to claim it and prevent the spread of any communicable disease.

"If no one claims the animal on the sixth day, it becomes ours to find a home for the animal," Olive Branch Humane Society Member Ruth Zurka said. "The ones we have a hard time placing are the older dogs. Many other states have spay/neuter laws, so they don't have many puppies there. We are able to move our puppies out pretty fast."

Specific rescue groups exist for almost every breed of dog and for some breeds of other animals. Zurka said the Humane Society works with many of these rescue groups. She said the Internet has also been a great ally in finding homes for animals.

"Internet is the way to travel these days," she said. "Almost as soon as we get an animal, we take its picture and put it on our website. It helps a lot."

The Olive Branch Humane Society also has a corp of junior volunteers, teenagers and young people who help with the dogs while they wait to be placed.

"They socialize the dogs," Zurka said. "They take them out for walks, play with them. We try to show the animals that they are going to be loved and fed and taken care of, and no one is going to hurt them."

Because the Humane Society works with the city, they are required to euthanize some animals, those with aggression or health issues. However, Zurka said that percentage is very low.

In addition, the Humane Society is now able to get sponsorships to treat animals with heartworms.

"For a dog in a shelter, heartworms used to be a death sentence," she said. "But we've been able to save many, many, many with the sponsorship of the public."

To help the Olive Branch Humane Society by buying tickets or donating to their silent auction, please call Zurka at 662-536-4593.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2004


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