|
September Featured Rescue | |
Priscilla is a very sweet and loving little girl. She loves to be pet and held and needs a home that will give her lots of attention. She loves to play, especially with her foster brother and sister kitties. She would be great in a home with other cats. Miss Priscilla is a long-haired cat, so she requires daily brushing which she loves. She is a beauty and would make a loving companion for anyone.
If you are looking for a sweetheart of a young lady, email gatewaypetguardians@yahoo.com for an adoption application. |
|
Letter from the Executive Director
Jamie Case |
 Over the past two years that I have been involved with GPG, I have seen the organization grow tremendously! It is extremely exciting with new ideas, events and volunteers around every corner. I cannot say enough about our volunteers! They make it all possible each and every day. This year alone we have had added numerous fundraisers to our event calendar and are having our first gala, Soiree for Strays on November 18th. The event will be conjunction with our documentary screening in the St. Louis International Film Festival at Webster University. Guests will then be escorted to Eden Seminary's Schroer Commons building for vegan/vegetarian appetizers (donated by Match Meat), cocktails and an honoree ceremony. Honored will be Lisa and Paul Boyer and Deborah Martin for their extraordinary support this year and Melissa White as our Foster of the Year. Chairing this extraordinary event is Gayle Ortyl, owner of Metro East Industries in East St. Louis, IL. More information on this event is soon to follow. Make sure to mark your calendars! With the release of our documentary, numerous supporters have come forward and offered assistance with a spay/neuter clinic in the East St. Louis Community. Myself, Julia Mittelstadt and Amie Simmons presented at the East St. Louis City Council Meeting. They were 100% on board with our ideas and are excited about the possibilities it brings. Stay tuned for more updates on their much-needed clinic. |
| |
Hank (fka Julio) was rescued from the streets of East St. Louis in the winter of 2008. We just knew he was going to make a great dog! Below is his story from his new parents.
We adopted Hank (Julio at GPG) back in January of 2009, he had just been off the street about 2 weeks and was being fostered by Amie. We were looking for a Boxer mix and found him listed on Pet Finder. The whole family immediately fell in love with him. The first few months were a bit challenging, adapting to a new home, having to spend some time alone. He got into mischief a few times, but quickly adjusted and we could not ask for a better or more mannerly house dog. Hank and I have been through many obedience and rally classes and have actually earned two legs of a rally title. He has an entire repertoire of tricks, as long as he is working for some kind of really good treat (otherwise, he gives me the "I have no idea what you are talking about" look). We have 4 college age/older children who are all crazy about Hank, they love taking him for rides and to get ice cream when they are home. Of course, now he expects ice cream at every drive-up window! I have never seen such a good natured dog, we haven't seen even a hint of meanness in him towards people or other dogs, he literally loves everyone, even plays fetch in the front yard with the UPS men. He and I visit our local farmers market every Saturday, where most of the vendors know him by name, and bring him special treats. He is a very popular guy! One of his favorite past times (as you can see in the photo) is laying in the sunshine on the deck. Even when it is sweltering hot, he loves to bask in the sun.
Even though a new pet is always a bit of a challenge at first- I would encourage adoption from GPG, the rewards majorly outweighed the efforts, we cannot imagine our lives without Hank.
If you have adopted a pet from Gateway Pet Guardians and would like to share your story, please contact Jamie at gatewaypetguardians@yahoo.com. |
|
Volunteer of the Month
Kara Dalton |
 The Volunteer of the Month section is created to give special thanks to a volunteer each month. Without dedicated volunteers, we could not save the number of animals that we do.
Kara started volunteering with the organization as a foster parent and has quickly turned into one of our most cherished volunteers. She assists with adoption events, the foster newsletter and is ALWAYS willing to help with anything we need. Thank you, Kara for being an amazing asset to our group!
"I've always been around animals, and as a kid tried to take in every stray dog in town. That love led me to teach animal science at a local high school, where I get to work with all types of animals every day. I first got involved with GPG in summer 2008 when my family adopted a black lab mix puppy from the group. We named her Morgan, and she is the most perfect dog in the world. Well, we think so at least. In January 2010, a co-worker found a little shepherd in her neighborhood wandering around in the cold. She brought her in to work thinking we could at least get her warm. I called around to rescue groups to see who could take her. GPG said they could if I fostered her, so that's how we began that adventure! We are now on our 5th foster since then, and we absolutely love it! We have fostered mainly puppies, because they are just so darn cute! I love GPG because of the personal attention we give our foster babies, the focus on spaying and neutering, and all the great people I've met!" |
Dog Night at the Drive In Gets Four Stars!
by: Kara Dalton |
Gateway Pet Guardians, in partnership with HALO, held its 1st Annual Dog Night at the Drive In at the Skyview in Belleville on September 5th. It was a beautiful night for the drive-in! Families enjoyed Toy Story 3 and Shrek 4, while older viewers checked out Takers and Lottery Ticket.
The drive-in was filled to capacity, and approximately 90 canines came with their human companions to check out the show! Through patrons' generous donations, GPG collected over 400 lbs. of dog food.
A big thanks to Roni Aguirre from HALO for helping organize the event and for bringing so many great volunteers! We would also like to give a shout out to the foster families of Briggs, Lee, Cheyenne, Puppy Chow, Dulce, and Darby for getting their fosters some great exposure. Everyone had a great time, and Skyview is ready to host the event again next year. |
|
|
PJ Hightower started feeding dogs in East St. Louis, a very impoverished neighborhood in Illinois just east of St. Louis, in 1995 on her way to her sister's house. She began going on a regular basis from there and has not missed one single day since 2001. The dogs rely on PJ, waiting for her car every morning. They come running at its sound and most come straight up to her car door as she stops. She not only feeds, but medicates, domesticates and rescues when a home is available.
A small group of people decided to form Gateway Pet Guardians around PJ's efforts in 2004. Gateway is fast growing and excited about what the future holds for the stray dogs of the East side, or hopefully lack there of.
When we rescue a animal, we give it veterinary care and put it in a foster home where it can learn to live as an pet should live and be loved. We find that with our "virtual" shelter system, the animals tend to have better outcomes in their forever homes. Although we are saving to build a shelter, we still plan to keep our rescues in foster homes as often as possible.
We are a small group of people devoted to solving the homeless dog population in East St. Louis through education/outreach and spay/neuter programs. We would love your involvement!
|
|
 |
|
|
9.18.10 - PetCo, Creve Coeur
9.25.10- PetsMart, South County
|
Needs a Foster! Keeley STILL NEEDS A FOSTER! |
New Section! The need to rescue feature of the newsletter will feature a dog that is awaiting a foster. This is your chance to do something incredibly rewarding!
Keeley is her name and LOVIN' in her game. She has only been with us a little while but she is such an AMAZING dog! She has never given so many kisses to people that have just met her.
Keeley is approximately 20 pounds, she may gain another 5 more pounds. But she would make a GREAT addition to any household. Are you looking for that workout buddy or a hiking friend who will be able to keep up with you in all types of weather? Then look no further, Keeley is your gal!
To see a video of our spunky Keeley, click HERE:
Please visit our foster page for more information and to fill out a foster application.
|
|
Documentary DVD on sale now! | |
Click the image to order yours today.  |
|
|
Our "Trainer's Corner" feature will spotlight local trainer and GPG foster mom, Jamie Kelly as she discusses behavior issues that many of us experience.
If you are having any type of behavior problems with your dog and feel you need professional help to modify a behavior, please contact Lucky Dog Pet Services, LLC. We offer certified positive reinforcement training and behavior modification as well as pet sitting and professional grooming.
|
Donate Now!
Help homeless animals by donating to Gateway Pet Guardians. | |
Gateway Pet Guardians is dedicated to rescuing homeless animals from the harsh streets, giving them the veterinary care needed and placing them in a foster home until they find their forever home.
Monthly, vet bills can range from $1000-$5000. We need your help to continue rescuing animals in need!
Gateway Pet Guardians is a 501c3 organization.
|
|
|
Our monthly newsletter is received by over 1200 local opt-in recipients and is growing daily. In an effort to connect with our partners who offer pet related services with our friends who need them, we are now offering advertising space in our monthly e-newsletter. GPG is a 501c3 organization, and all payments for advertising space will be considered donations and therefore are tax deductible.
$50 donation - one month sponsorship
$200 donation - 6 month committment - get 2 months FREE
$360 donation - 12 month commitment - get 3 months FREE
|
|
