Pet Dish for February 23, 2010

In this issue:

• Seasoned walker offers fundraising ideas
• Boo and Romeo Double the Love for the Wells family
• Help others with the help of your small animal
• More Treats
• Scratching posts

Seasoned walker offers fundraising ideas

In 1974, 300 people walked with their pets at the inaugural Walk for Animals event. Now, 36 years later the event inspires more than 8,000 people to walk for animals less fortunate than their own, animals waiting for homes at Animal Humane Society. Carrie Orr, a devout AHS supporter and veteran Walk for Animals fundraiser, has been walking since 1987. “It’s my favorite event of the year,” exclaims Carrie. “They should really make it a holiday!”

Carrie has seen some amazing changes over the years and miles, especially in the number of people and animals joining together in celebration, but for her, the event has also turned into a family tradition. She, her friends and family and their pets, get together every year to join the celebration. Carrie makes all of this happen with a very strategic fundraising plan.

“I raise money online at my office, call my friends, send out a homemade flyer with return envelopes, and hold a bake sale, raffle, craft sale and silent auction.” It takes good, old-fashioned pavement pounding and online fundraising to raise $1 million for homeless and neglected animals. As a recommendation for newcomers to the Walk, Carrie adds “go to the Walk website to get a general idea of what to expect. You can get good ideas on how to start fundraising.”

Carrie will be walking with Chester, her 11-year-old Labrador retriever/shih tzu mix. “AHS inspires me to give back to such a wonderful organization. My life is made better by my pets and AHS made it possible for me to have them.”

What will inspire you? Start fundraising today!

Thanks to our generous media sponsors: Fox 9, Cities 97, Mpls. St Paul Magazine and Radio Disney.

Start fundraising today!

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Boo and Romeo Double the Love for the Wells family
Program available March 1

In the fall of 2009, Donna Wells of Plymouth, Minn. had been thinking about adding a cat to her family. When a friend told her about the Double the Love promotion at Animal Humane Society, a program where families can adopt one cat and get another with the adoption fee waived, Donna thought it was a perfect time to visit the shelter with her son, Eugene.

As she and her son walked by one cat kennel after another, they realized it was a difficult decision. Which one will be good for their family? How do they know the two cats they choose will be compatible? That’s when they approached the adoption counselors at the front desk for advice. One counselor, Katherine, walked through each cat room with Donna and Eugene until they came across a mother and son pair of cats available for adoption, Boo and Romeo. It didn’t take long before Donna and her son were considering adopting the mother and son felines.

“I wanted a family, a pair of cats that would do well together,” said Donna. “At first, I thought we’d adopt littermates, but when Katherine helped us find Boo and Romeo, we knew this was the right pair for us.”

Eugene noted, “I like to think I am a dog guy but I have a heart for cats too. Plus they are cute… what’s not to love?”

More than 70 cats per day arrive at AHS from May to October each year, and each year that time period gets longer. The Double the Love program was implemented in 2009 to help reduce cat overpopulation and will be offered to the public again on March 1 this year. The effort places more spayed/neutered pets in the community and provides more cats with a loving home.

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Help others with the help of your small animal

Therapy animal classes begin March 1

The human-animal bond is strong. Animals bring so much to our lives, such as laughter and unconditional love. You can share the bond you have with your pet with others. Join Animal Humane Society with your cat, guinea pig or rabbit at its Small Animal Therapy Class with Patti Anderson.

The class is designed to train you and your small animal to become a registered therapy team. Teams will be qualified to visit nursing homes, schools, hospice, libraries and more. The next class starts in just six days on March 1 and runs through March 22.

“Patti Anderson did a spectacular job of preparing us for the experiences we would encounter in our new role,” explains Barb Kelley who works with Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society and is a registered therapy team with her rabbits. “We are now comfortable visiting in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools. You will be amazed at the joy you will bring to the faces of those who are lonely and ill.”

Ongoing quarterly classes are available in Golden Valley, but rabbits and guinea pigs will be the focus of the next session starting on March 1. Classes will be held Monday nights from 7–8:30 p.m. from March 1–22. Cost is $50. Registration is required. Call (763) 489-2217 for more information.

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This time next year: Whisker Whirl moves to new digs

Save the date and tell your friends—the next Whisker Whirl will be held at The Depot in Downtown Minneapolis on Saturday, February 19, 2011! This is still the only gala in town where you can party with your pup. Winter is the perfect time to have a fun reason to get out and mingle with your dog and fellow animal lovers. You won’t want to miss it. For more information, please call (763)432-4842 or email infoevents@animalhumanesociety.org.  [Click here to add this event to your Outlook calendar]

Puppy & Kitten Mill Bill public information session

Are you interested in learning more about the effort to regulate dog and cat breeders in Minnesota to stop inhumane practices in this industry? Join us on Saturday, February 27, 2010, from 11 a.m. to noon at AHS Golden Valley for a public information session on the Dog and Cat Breeder Bill (S.F. 7/H.F. 253), also known as the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill, with Minnesota Senator Don Betzold and Minnesota Representative Tom Tillberry. The legislators authored and introduced the bill in the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives respectively. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. For more information, please email animaladvocates@animalhumanesociety.org.

Wildlife rehabilitation training

AHS is once again hosting an annual wildlife rehabilitation training workshop at its Golden Valley facility. Sponsored by its partners, Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release, the workshop provides basic training for the handling and rehabilitation of Minnesota’s wildlife. Training will be useful for those getting started in wildlife rehabilitation or those in need of updating their rehabilitation skills. It’s also a great opportunity to become an AHS Wildlife volunteer. The three-day workshop addresses rules and regulations for wildlife permits, basic orphan wildlife care, current wildlife topics and natural history of the wild animals in our environment. CE credits available. Click here for dates and times and call (763) 489-2223 for more information.

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Unleashed summer camp registration opens March 1

Registration for Unleashed, AHS’s camp for kids who love animals, will open in just six days. Be sure to reserve a spot for your kids. This animal-themed summer day camp for kids in grades 3-12 helps unleash the inner veterinarian, wildlife advocate and animal-loving imagination in every child. We believe that putting the humane in society starts early and lasts a lifetime. Learn more and register online or call (763) 489-2220 for more information.

Pay it forward to Animal Humane Society—today!

Today is “Pay It Forward Day” at Minnesota Public Radio. As part of MPR's member drive, they're offering a special thank-you gift to new and renewing members of MPR who contribute $10 a month or more. Instead of a bag or mug as a thank-you gift, you can pay your gift forward to AHS. Be sure to tell your friends and family. Learn more at www.mpr.org.

 

Help homeless cats by taking a five-minute survey

The increasing onset of cats into America’s shelters is not something we as a community can turn our backs on. Even if you’re unable to adopt one of the many cats available for adoption at AHS, you can still help them find new homes. Please take five minutes to answer a few short questions about what you think makes a great feline companion. Your answers will allow us to know more about adoption decisions people make and will help us improve our services and programs. You can find the survey here.

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