Latest News

Novartis Shut Down -- Tuesday May 8th, 2012

By Kimberly Porter February 01, 2012 at 10:34AM

A large manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska, has been voluntarily shut down by Novartis while the company addresses quality control issues. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a critical report of the plant last June, after addressing complaints from consumers about mix-ups between powerful prescription medication and common over-the-counter drugs. Recalls have been made on human medications such as Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin, and Gas-X.

Pet medications are also produced in the Lincoln plant, and the shut down has suspended production of Clomicalm, Interceptor Flavor Tabs, Sentinel Flavor Tabs, Program Tablets and Suspension, and Milbemite. Veterinarians have been unable to order these medications since early January. Deramaxx is also affected, but the supplies the plant had on hand were still being shipped out as of early January.

"This is still an emerging situation," said Dr. Jennifer Coates, author of petMD's FullyVetted. "While I haven’t yet heard of any mix-ups with the animal drugs that Novartis has stopped shipping, reports could start coming in as a greater number of veterinary practices and pet owners start to examine their inventories."

Novartis Animal Health issued a letter to veterinarians on January 5, warning them about the suspended production and shipments. Although a press release was issued, consumers have voiced complaints that more had not been done to warn them of the issue.

"Rather than being proactive and putting patient safety first, it seems like Novartis has tried to minimize the public’s awareness of the problem," said Dr. Coates. "I think Novartis needs to completely reexamine its approach to patient safety. As the Tylenol recall of the 1980s showed, consumers will give credit to a drug manufacturer that appears to be doing all it can when a crisis hits. Openness is the answer, not damage control."

When veterinarians run out of their supply of Novartis Animal Health brands, they will be obligated to start recommending alternatives for patients’ pets. Competing brands, such as Heartgard, Trifexis, Iverhart Max, and Rimadyl, are among the list of medications that will likely be recommended.

“Drug shortages are certainly a possibility if the shipments don’t resume soon,” said Dr. Coates. “Thankfully, the Novartis drugs are not the only ones available to prevent or treat the diseases in question. Switching to another medication should be relatively easy if drug shortages do develop or questions about quality control continue. Of course, such changes should always be made under the supervision of a veterinarian.”

Novartis has made no indication of when production might resume. A Novartis representative could not be reached for comment as of this time.

Dog food recall -- Sunday May 6th, 2012

Diamond expanded their recalls today. Diamond makes a wide variety of dog foods: including Premium Edge, Canidae, Taste of the Wile, and many more. If you go to this site you can compare your dog food production code to what is posted on the site.

Brownie Troop Gives Back -- Monday April 30th, 2012

Milton Brownie Troop

Brownie Troop 6047 of Milton recently chose a project to give back to the community for their “Give Back” Badge. They selected Haven to Home Canine Rescue, to ‘give back’ to. Troop leader, Alicia Leitzel, a former employee of SusquehannaTrail AnimalHospital knew firsthand how Dr. Ray Tritch often gives back to local non-profit organizations by offering discounted services for the animals the group helps. She also knew how hard Haven to Home volunteers work to help dogs in need. The troop of 7 and 8 year old girls collected dog food, treats, toys, collars, leashes, and flea medicine. They met Haven to Home volunteers at Susquehanna Trail Animal Hospital for the presentation.

Quilt Raffle Winners -- Sunday October 16th, 2011

Quilt Raffle - Winners!

Thank you to all who purchased tickets and made H2H's first quilt raffle a success! Nearly $1,200 was raised to help the dogs! Winners were announced on October 8th during an adoption event at Brookpark Pet Supply.

First Place = Cathy Ranck, Lewisburg, PA

Second Place = Patricia Pittsnogle, Milton, PA

Third Place = Fran Everson, Lewisburg, PA

We would like to continue with this successful fundraiser and make it an annual event. If you or anyone you know is willing and able to donate a handmade quilt for next year's raffle please contact Penny Coup, fundraising coordinator, at pcoup@verizon.net or 570-412-3926. The 2nd annual raffle will run from April to September 2012.

16 Dog Myths -- Sunday May 15th, 2011

16 Dog Myths: 1. Dogs should have a litter before they are spayed. This is not true. Dogs that have a litter before they are spayed are not better for it in any way. In fact, spayed dogs are at lower risk for breast cancer and uterine infections. 2. Dogs are sick when their noses are warm. The temperature of a dogs nose does not indicate health or illness. It also does not indicate if they have a fever. There is an "old wives tale" that cold wet noses indicate good health and that warm or dry noses indicate a fever or illness. The only accurate method to access a dog's temperature is to take it with a thermometer. Normal dog temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F. 3. Mutts are always healthier than purebred dogs. This is not true. Both mutts and purebred dogs can be either healthy or unhealthy. However, mutts generally do not have many of the genetic diseases that may be common in purebred lines. 4. All dogs like to be petted on their heads. Some dogs do like to be petted on their heads but many do NOT. 5. Happy dogs wag their tails. This may be true but aggressive dogs often wag their tails too. There are several physical body motions and cues that help dogs communicate their intent. A wagging tail can mean either agitation or excitement. A dog that wags his tail slowly and moves his entire rear end or crouches down in the classic "play bow" position is usually demonstrating a friendly wag. Tails that are wagged when held higher, tails that "twitch" or a wagging tail held over the back may be associated with aggression. 6. Only male dogs will 'hump" or lift their leg to urinate. This is not true. Female dogs, especially dominant female dogs, will lift their leg to urinate and "hump" other dogs or objects. This can be true even in spayed female dogs. 7. Table scraps are good for dogs. Some table scraps such as bones and pieces of fat can be dangerous to some pets. Dogs may not digest the bones and the fat may cause gastrointestinal problems such as pancreatitis. 8. Garlic prevents fleas. Garlic has NOT been proven helpful for flea control. Large amounts of garlic can even be harmful. 9. Household "pet dogs" don't need trained. This is not true. Every dog should be trained. 10. Dogs eat grass when they are sick. Dogs descended from wild wolves and foxes that ate all parts of their "kill". This included the stomach contents of many animals that ate berries and grass. Many scientists believe grass was once part of dog's normal diet and eating small amounts of grass is normal. 11. Dogs like tasty food. Dogs have very poor taste buds and eat primarily based on their sense of smell. 12. Licking is Healing. It is natural for a dog to lick its wound but this not necessarily always "healing". Too much licking can actually prohibit healing. 13. Dogs will let you know when they are sick. This is not true. Dogs generally are very good at hiding that they are sick by survival instinct, thus not to appear vulnerable to "prey". Often by the time they show you that they are sick, their disease or condition is quite advanced. 14.Dogs that are mostly indoors don't need heartworm prevention. This is not true. Indoor pets are also at risk for heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, which can come inside. 15. Dogs eat rocks, lick concrete or eat their or another animals stools because of nutrient imbalances. No one knows why dogs eat "stuff" that they should not eat. Some veterinarians believe that some dogs that eat "things" may be trying to get attention or acting out of boredom. It is important for dogs to eat a well balanced diet that will fulfill their dietary and nutrient requirements and have plenty of opportunities for play and exercise. 16. Dogs don't need to be housebroken, they naturally know where to go. Oh...if only this were true. You need to train your dog on where to go. This preferably happens when you start at a young age and give your dog positive encouragement for jobs well done.

Microchip Clinic May 28 -- Thursday May 12th, 2011

Haven to Home Canine Rescue will host a microchip clinic at Brookpark Pet Supply in Lewisburg on Saturday, May 28 from 10AM until 12PM. ResQ brand chips will be administered by Dr. Lindsay of Lewisburg Veterinary Hospital. The fee will be $35.00. Rabies vaccines will also be offered for $8.00. Pets should be on a leash or in a crate. Why and how is microchipping done? Approximately 1 out of every 3 pets will become lost at some point in their lifetime. Microchipping substantially increases the likelihood of a pet returning home by offering secure, reliable, unique and permanent identification. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under a pet's skin with an injection, like a vaccination. Each microchip has a unique code that is registered. Veterinarians and shelters have scanners to check for microchips. When a pet is found and scanned, the code can be traced back to the owner's registered information. Haven to Home will benefit from the proceeds from this event. Haven to Home is a local, all-volunteer, canine rescue that was established in 2008. There is no shelter; foster homes care for the dogs until they are adopted. Most of the foster homes and volunteers are in the Union, Northumberland, and Snyder County area. The 501(c)3, volunteer-driven organization has helped over 460 dogs in need find their forever homes. To learn more about fostering a dog, adopting, or making a donation go to www.haventohome.org, email haventohome@gmail.com, or call 374-0330.

Thank you Anna! -- Monday January 17th, 2011

Anna birthday

Anna from Snyder County had a birthday recently and turned it
into an opportunity to gather donations for Haven to Home. Anna
turned 9 and decided to have a dog-theme birthday party with a special
twist: instead of bringing birthday presents for her, friends brought
donations for Haven to Home, a local dog rescue organization.
Donations included several dog beds, dog food, collars, leashes,
food/water bowls, chewing bones and more. Haven to Home is very
thankful to Anna and her friends for such a generous way to celebrate
a birthday! Many dogs will benefit from the generosity of Anna and
her friends!

Finding a Lost Dog -- Tuesday January 11th, 2011

Using Personality Clues to Find Your Lost Dog

It was around midnight late last year that Gayle Mousis of Los Angeles, California, noticed that her house seemed unusually quiet. Her son’s Siberian Husky, Nashwan, was nowhere in sight. There had been workmen at the property that day, and she found they'd left the front gate standing wide open. Her friendly dog had wandered off to explore the neighborhood.
A couple of days later, a couple who had found the dog and taken him home were putting up a “found” poster outside a coffee shop close to the Mousis’ home. They realized he matched the description of a friendly missing Husky on a “lost” poster put up in the same location.
Thousands of dogs go missing around the country every day. Knowing your pet’s personality and the way she reacts towards strangers can tell you how she will respond should she get lost. Personality can also tell you how far from home she’s likely to travel before being rescued.
“Away from the comforts of home, pets go into survival mode,” explains pet detective Kat Albrecht, founder of Missing Pet Partnership in Clovis, California, and author of The Lost Pet Chronicles: Adventures of a Canine Cop Turned Pet Detective (Bloomsbury USA, 2004). “ Typically, dogs hide during the day and move around looking for food at night.”
According to Albrecht, all dogs fall into one of the following behavior categories:

The Gregarious Dog
A gregarious dog, like Nashwan the Husky, is friendly and will come up to the first person that attracts her attention, generally wagging her tail. Depending on the surroundings and the population density of the area, she won’t stray far from home. Because of her responsive disposition, a stranger who finds her may want to adopt her on the spot.
If you find a friendly dog without a collar and ID tag, she’s probably lost. If you’re able to take her home, immediately put up “found” posters in the vicinity where the dog was found. If you can’t keep the dog, take her to a no-kill shelter and put the contact information on the posters.

The Aloof Dog
A dog with an aloof temperament is very wary of strangers and, avoiding any human contact, will travel a great distance from home. She can, however, be enticed with food when she gets hungry. Strangers often misinterpret her wariness for having been abused.
Often a distrustful dog is not recovered for weeks, or even months, after escaping. By then, her physical appearance may have deteriorated, and she may appear to be homeless and unloved.
When you see a dog in this condition, think "lost" not "stray," and try to locate the owner or take her to a no-kill shelter.

The Xenophobic Dog
Xenophobia is a fear of anything strange or foreign. A xenophobic temperament is either a genetic disposition or the result of an unfortunate puppyhood experience. If a dog panics easily, then a loud noise is enough to make her bolt and run for miles. Consequently, a xenophobic dog can travel great distances and is at high risk of being hit by a car. Because of her cowering, fearful behavior, people assume she has been abused.
Even if the dog has an ID tag, a rescuer often refuses to contact the owner , assuming he or she mistreated the animal. A xenophobic dog can be so overcome with terror that she will even run from her owner! Once again, think "lost" not "stray," and act accordingly.

Take Note of Your Dog’s Habits
It’s important to be aware of your pet’s daily habits, such as:
When does your dog eat?
When does your dog sleep?
What is her favorite hiding place in the home?
Don’t inhibit your chances of finding your pet by having a “wait and see” attitude. Start searching immediately. Only in the movies do dogs like Lassie find their way home after a long and harrowing journey. Don’t give up too quickly—it could take weeks or months for your pet to be recovered.
Make sure you include your pet’s personality traits on your “lost” posters. It will be a big help to anyone finding her. And remember, proper identification, like a registered microchip, is your lost pet's ticket home.

Sandy Robins is an award-winning pet lifestyle writer. Her work appears regularly on in various national and international publications. She is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writers Association of America.

400 Dogs! -- Monday November 22nd, 2010

Haven to Home has adopted over 400 dogs! H2H has been very successful and thanks the community for all their support. There are many dogs in need but this is a great accomplishment.

Peachwood Carwash -- Tuesday August 31st, 2010

Peachwood Carwash

This group of young community minded animal lovers recently presented the proceeds from a carwash and bake sale to Haven to Home Volunteers Linda Gemberling and Lorena Hilner. The group of animal lovers lives in the Peachwood area of Lewisburg and made a donation of $327.90.

Basic Feeding Guides -- Wednesday June 30th, 2010

Read more for a basic feeding guide for age and breed of dog.

Take Your Dog to Work Day -- Friday June 25th, 2010

First celebrated in 1999, Take Your Dog To Work Day was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs. This annual event asks pet lovers to celebrate the humane-canine bond and promote pet adoption by encouraging their employers to support TYDTWDay by opening their workplace to employees’ four-legged friends on this one special day. On Friday June 25, 2010, businesses, animal shelters and pet-care professionals from around the world will work together to better the lives of shelter dogs everywhere. Thousands of businesses will GO FURRY to promote pet adoption by opening their doors to employees’ furry, four-legged friends on this day in celebration of the great companions dogs make. Visit www.takeyourdog.com for more information.

Dog Treat Recall -- Sunday January 17th, 2010

FDA NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: January 14, 2010 Media Inquiries: Ira Allen 301-796-5349, ira.allen@fda.hhs.gov Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA FDA Health Alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats Packaged and Distributed by Merrick Pet Care Products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs distributed by Merrick Pet Care with a package date of Best By 111911 because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was distributed nationwide through retail stores and Internet sales. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products not to handle or feed them to their pets. In December 2009, the FDA conducted routine testing of Merrick Beef Filet Squares and detected a positive finding for Salmonella. A follow-up inspection found deficiencies in the packaging and manufacturing processes. Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle. Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately. Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected product or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. The affected Merrick Beef Filet Squares were packaged in a 10-ounce green, red and tan re-sealable plastic bag. The best by date is imprinted on the top portion of the bag, which is torn off when the bag is opened. The FDA recommends that consumers who are unable to determine the best by date discontinue use of the product.

Join us on Facebook! -- Saturday December 5th, 2009

Join Haven to Home's FACEBOOK group page today! Anyone can join! Once you're a member you'll get information about upcoming events and dogs available for adoption! Best part is you can join our cause and help us spread the word about Haven to Home! Join today at www.facebook.com.

Find Toto! -- Saturday December 5th, 2009