Fall 2014 Pawsbrief
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Fall 2014 PawsBrief Executive Director’s 2 Update: You Balance Ann Krier with Marley, the Books for Humanity adopted in 2011. Featured Happy Tail You’re Invited to on pg. 4. 7 Bowser’s Boo Bash Dogs Playing For Life- Playgroup Training 8 Transforms WHS Buster’s World- Spay & Neuter Saves 11 Lives in the Shelter Kristen Klay Embraces 12 Pets and People Willamette Humane Society Providing Compassionate Services to Pets and People whs4pets.org Executive Director’s Update You Balance the Books for Humanity Brief Paws is published quarterly by Willamette Humane Society. My Humane Friends, Bowser’s Boo Bash September means back to school, new beginnings, the best October will bring us one of the real highlights of the season, Moving? Send us your change of address weather of the year, the first day of autumn, and cool mornings… Bowser’s Boo Bash, the weekend before Halloween! I remember the or email it to: don’t you just love this time of year? first Boo Bash I attended in 2005. I had not previously been much of [email protected] a costume person, so I was amazed and impressed by the variety of costumes I saw, but it was nothing compared to last year. The variety Editor: Jay Levitre Playgroup Trainings and creativity and humor just seem to get better every year, and I can’t WHS Communications Manager Speaking of school, we wait to see what and who will show up this year. What will you be? have great news for you. WHS The real lasting impact Bowser’s Boo Bash had on me, however, Willamette Humane Society staff and volunteers went back was the experience I had witnessing the overwhelming generosity of PO Box 13005 • 4246 Turner Road SE to school a little early in August our supporters, some of whom never even come in to the shelter. As Salem, OR 97309 • 503-585-5900 so we could enroll our dogs a shelter staff person, I am part of a unique group of human beings www.whs4pets.org in some upgraded programs capable of working with the extreme emotional complexity, the never ending workload, and the relatively low [email protected] in September. Thanks to the paying but highly rewarding work that is animal rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming. I don’t have to tell you Mon/Thurs/Fri • 12 pm—7 pm generous sponsorship of Animal that stress levels run high among shelter workers, but what you may not realize is what an impact your giving Tues/Wed • Closed Farm Foundation, who covered has on our ability to continue to do our work. Yes, your donations fund vaccines, and food, spay and neuter Sat/Sun • 12 pm—6 pm all the costs, we hosted Aimee surgeries, and the day to day expenses of operations, but when you publicly raise your hand and pledge your Sadler here for a Playing For support, you become the moral, ethical and emotional antidote to the stress called compassion fatigue that Davenport’s Den Pet Supply & Gift Store Life seminar and a week of hands can overwhelm our staff. You balance the books for humanity, reminding us that people are more kind (located inside the shelter) 503-585-5900 on workshops for our staff, volunteers, and shelter dogs. We met than not, more generous than not, and more supportive than we would ever know if it weren’t for this colleagues from shelters throughout western Oregon, and saw the event. You are the face of good, no matter what mask you choose to wear that night. WHS Spay & Neuter Clinic magic that can happen when shelter dogs have daily social and Don Bourne and his wife Eileea are a couple who have been the icon of that goodness for me since 4246 Turner Rd. SE • 503-480-SPAY physical outlets to burn energy and learn new skills. What she did Mon – Fri • 8 am—5 pm the first year when the auctioneer said, “Who wants to raise their hand and donate $5,000 dollars for the for our shelter is best described later in this newsletter by Annie animals?” Don raised his paddle, and I had tears running down my face with gratitude and amazement that Ingersoll on pg. 8, but I loved the chance to learn so much from WHS Thrift Store & Gift Shop people really could be that GOOD! 548 High St. NE • 503-362-6892 someone of Aimee’s caliber. Mon—Sat • 10:30 am—6 pm What I took away from this intensive week of training- in addition to new skills and knowledge- was even more appreciation for Beyond Ordinary Goodness our staff and volunteers, and the incredible dedication we all share This year, Don and Eileea have gone above and beyond ordinary goodness Board of Directors for helping our animals. with an extraordinary gift, and they hope to inspire you to do the same. They are Terry Wade, President You’ll be pleased to hear that Aimee, who has experience supporters of Willamette Humane Society since 1973, but this year they wanted Jenny Hudson, Vice President with shelters throughout the country, complimented our staff and to donate to WHS in a way that would create a sustainable legacy that would Terri Ellen, Secretary volunteers, saying that we have integrated our teams so effectively, keep serving the animals even when they are gone. They have given a $75,000 Mel Monroe, Treasurer there is no evidence of “us and them” dollar gift to our endowment fund, which will help fund spay and neuter surgeries Shannon Priem, Past President hierarchies, but rather everyone pulling with an annual distribution. They realize that a healthy, well-funded endowment Terri Jackson, DVM together to do what is best for the dogs and is the key to sustainability for a non-profit organization, and they encourage all Juan Lopez respecting each other in the process. Some of our supporters to consider making a gift to the endowment fund. I cannot, no of you reading this were there, but every one matter how I keep trying, really convey how deeply the Bourne’s gift inspires me of you who supports WHS made the week to be the best steward of their gift, and to provide outstanding care for homeless possible. pets in our community while working at solving the problem of overpopulation The way we funded Aimee’s first through our spay and neuter programs. You can read more about how we’re training here in 2010- the reason we balancing the cat overpopulation from Buster on page 11. have had playgroups for the last four When November comes, and Thanksgiving reminds us all to focus on gratitude, I know my heart will be years- is in part because of the DIG full to overflowing with every story, every donation, every volunteer hour, every animal saved because of your fund, which comes in a nickel at a time support and engagement with our mission. for bottles and cans! Whether you With enduring gratitude, volunteer to run a playgroup, donate The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence monthly to the Golden Hearts Club, is awarded to the members of Independent bring us your bottles and cans, or Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous give when you’re able, I am so proud independent review, been able to certify, document, of what we accomplish here together and demonstrate on an annual basis that they BJ Andersen meet the highest standards of public accountability, through our teamwork and mutual program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. concern for the animals. Executive Director Page 2 Brief Paws: The Official Newsletter of Willamette Humane Society whs4pets.org Fall 2014 Edition Page 3 Happy Tails... Pet-to-People Connections Forged With Your Support Marley Bella I got Marley from Bella and I are getting along WHS in July of 2011 as wonderful. We were made for an adult dog and she has each other. She is beginning to been the most wonderful calm down and seldom howls companion ever since! now. Is eager to follow me She is the mellowest dog everywhere, She sleeps with ever and loves when we me and sleeps all night. pet her. I always joke that her quota for love and I am thankful to Tamia for attention is infinite. She making the trip to Salem to is fast friends with anyone pick her up and to Maria for who has a hand to pet working for and with Tamia her. She loves to go on on the paper work. hikes and explore, but Bella is to meet my always keeps an eye on son and daughter this me and doesn’t wander weekend and I know far. The dog park is a Sebastian a.k.a. Adam they will love her . They favorite place, especially always had poodles in if she has the opportunity their lives when growing to chase squirrels. Marley up. Marley with Ann is a constant joy and we Bella with WHS volunteers are lucky we found each -Phyllis Holley other! Sebastian -Ann Krier Sebastian, aka Adam, has found his forever home. Adopted in January, Attila he will be one in a few short weeks! He gets along great with the other My boyfriend and I animals in the house, though the cats adopted Attila almost have put him in his place on more Princess 6 months ago. We than one occasion! He is trying really Princess was adopted couldn’t imagine life hard not to get too excited when from the Willamette without him. He is meeting new people; he’s just not Humane Society in January the best puppy we aware of how big he is! Thank You 2013.