It’s 7:30 a.m. at the P.A.W.S. Humane Center. Eager dogs and cats greet staff and volunteers with “good morning” choruses of howls and meows.

Like a well-oiled machine the day’s routine begins. Cleaning, feeding, walking – toys, blankets, and treats. With breakfast over, morning exercise begins and behind the scenes chores of laundry, dishes, and second-round cleaning (affectionately called “poop patrol”) get underway.

As noon approaches, final touches are taken care of – floors mopped, rugs vacuumed, paw and nose prints cleaned from windows. Everything is spic and span. The animals take their places.

The P.A.W.S. Humane Center doors open. Excitement builds as each pet prepares to put their best paw forward to capture the hearts of arriving adopters. “See me!” “Look at me!” “I can do tricks!”

P.A.W.S. adoption counselors assist each person or family in meeting and selecting their new furry friend. The warm and friendly atmosphere encourages comfort. People who were never able or willing to visit an animal shelter have commented that they are at ease here.

The pets tell a tale of love, not sadness – of hope, not despair. This is a happy place. . . a happy place built on love.

Since the Humane Center opened in October 2011 (eighteen months ago), 1458 dogs and cats have been placed in loving forever homes.  Stand in our lobby for just a short time, and you will get a glimpse of the joy found when “love at first sight” turns into “happily ever after.”

As the end of the day approaches, the Center is filled with peace and quiet. The animals are tired, but content. Tomorrow is another day – maybe THEIR special day. But until then, each and every dog and cat knows they are loved. They are in a happy place.

What makes P.A.W.S. Humane Center so special? The people! The staff and volunteers . . . Who cuddle old dogs and coo over kittens - Who address each animal’s needs individually and lovingly - Who celebrate love every day by making the animals feel special and surrounded by people they can count on.

Helping save lives is infectious. Whatever your skills, regardless of how much or little time you have, you can be part of this magical happy place.

Volunteers are from all walks of life, but become kindred souls with their mutual love and respect for animals. By becoming a volunteer, you can do good and have a good time by sharing talent and time toward a cause you believe in wholeheartedly.

Visit P.A.W.S. Humane Center, 200 Charles A. Liddle Drive, Lawrenceburg, to see for yourself what a happy place it is. Our website, www.pawsofdearborncounty.org, has all the information you will need to find out ways you can volunteer or donate to help our animals.

Becky Foster is director of the Dearborn County P.A.W.S. Humane Center.

Last week we witnessed a lot of events that caused the loss of life, injuries, and millions in damages to property.

The Boston blasts, the West Texas explosion and the northern floods have all exacted a toll on our country. In our area we have been very fortunate, but this is tornado season. From March through June is when tornados most frequently occur. 

Southeastern Indiana also has the potential for floods, as the spring rains overflow our tributaries, and earthquakes and many other potential disasters are lurking around the corner.
 

It is not a matter of if, but when the next disaster event strikes our area.

Are you and your loved ones ready?

With an aging population in the United States, there has been much talk about the situation in Texas regarding the nursing home that was affected by the blast. I have been asked what nursing homes do in the event of imminent danger to their residents.

Every nursing home has a plan for evacuation. This includes accounting for every patient’s specific medical needs as well as seeing that they have a place to go. If you have a loved one in a nursing home you should have access to these plans.

But what about the senior citizen that still lives at home. They have special needs that should be addressed in the event of a disaster. Many senior citizens do not drive anymore so they are reliant on others to get anywhere.

The older population generally has multiple medications, therefore it is important to make sure they take them wherever they are going.

At the very least, it is important to know what medications they take. In the event of being evacuated quickly, information like drug, dosage, pharmacy, and doctor are extremely important. In the disaster situation it is easy to forget what drugs you need. Pharmacies keep good records, but you don’t want to be totally reliant on them.

 Another concern with senior citizens is that they can become disoriented more easily.  They are used to having a steady routine. When that routine is changed it can have a negative effect on their mental health. This can become more pronounced if they memory issues. 

 If your loved one is able to stay home after a local disaster, make sure they have one gallon of water per day per person and adequate food.

The power may be off so food needs to be something that can be eaten without being cooked.

Also make sure they are going to have warmth in the winter and a cool place in the summer. Remember how hot it got last summer? Make sure someone is able to check on them at least once a day. If you don’t live close by, ask one of their neighbors to help.

 If you are the caregiver for a senior citizen it is important that you have a discussion with them.

Plan for evacuation, their specific medical needs, prescription information, and make sure they have a familiar face near if they are forced to stay in a shelter or are forced to remain in their home.

This conversation should be to enlighten and reassure the senior citizen, not alarm them. People that are prepared have less stress in the event of disaster than those that don’t prepare.

As technology and medical practices continue to improve our population is living longer. We are blessed with our parents and grandparents being a part of the family much longer.

We can learn from their wisdom and experiences. But what they have gained in these categories comes at the loss of physical abilities and sometimes mental capacity. Let’s be there for them.

Remember, it is not if, but when, a disaster strikes! Be Ready!

The American Red Cross is committed to helping people in a disaster situation. We can provide shelter, food and clothing in the event of a disaster. We also work to help people prepare for these disasters. If you would like to get more information regarding disaster preparation, please feel free to contact us.

The Southeastern Indiana Chapter of the American Red Cross covers Dearborn, Ripley, Ohio and Switzerland Counties and is at 539 Main St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025. Our phone number is 1-812-537-9036.

We also have a satellite office at 639 South Buckeye Street, Osgood, IN 47037. Phone 1-812-689-6308.

The American Red Cross is an organization led by volunteers and is funded totally by donation.

If you would like to learn more about disaster preparedness, take a class such as CPR, volunteer, or make a donation please feel free to contact us.