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New Homes for the Holidays
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The Animal Welfare Society
West Kennebunk, Maine
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December 2008 |
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Greetings!
It's so hard to believe that the Holidays are upon us. From all of us at AWS (furry and not so furry), we send along our very best to you for a wonderful 2009!
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How much is that puppy in the window?
The holiday season can be a wonderful time to add a new member to your
family! Kids are home from school and moms and dads have time off from
work which allows for bonding, routine and comfort for you and your new
animal. But, AWS reminds you to do your homework before getting a new furry friend. The truth is, that adorable puppy at the pet store or advertised in the newspaper could be from a puppy mill. "Puppy mills are large-scale breeding facilities that often result in poor health and temperament in dogs," said Kirstin Mininni, shelter co-manager. "Puppies are so cute and so lovable that many times people will forget where they came from. Many stores sell these puppy mill dogs to unsuspecting customers with a huge price tag." Here are the facts: - 1 in 4 dogs in a shelter is a purebred.
- Store bought puppies will require vaccinations and spay or neuter surgery. This can total more than $400 in additional costs above your purchase price.
- Adopting an adult dog from AWS is $190 and includes a free veterinary health exam, current vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, collar, leash and ID tag, and a coupon for reduced obedience classes!
And as a reminder, please do not give an animal as a gift. Let the choice of the
particular animal be a family decision. AWS does have gift certificates available in case you'd like to have a surprise under the tree. |
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AWS Heroes
A classroom penny jar, a bottle drive, a bake sale...our heroes are doing some pretty special things to benefit the animals at AWS. When children are young, it is a great time to teach them giving and generosity through helping them arrange their own fundraiser for the animals. Each child going that extra mile for the shelter receives a special, behind the scenes tour, a certificate and a photo posted on our Web site. Here are just a few examples of recent fundraisers by children: - Melodie and Julia rasied $150 at their lemonade stand!
- Megan and Brandon went with their parents trick or treating for donations instead of candy to buy our Greyhounds three new coats!
- Elizabeth, just four years old, asked friends and family to donate to AWS rather than buy her birthday presents!
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Still Searching for the Perfect Gift?
Does dad already have enough ties? Does mom have 16 bottles of perfume?
AWS has the perfect gift for that hard to shop for person on your list.
*With a gift to AWS of $100, engrave a brick in our beautiful courtyard for all to see and enjoy.
*Purchase a gift certificate to AWS for the adoption of an animal, obedience classes or merchandise! (Adoption applications subject to approval.)
*Purchase a gift membership to AWS for $25 or a children's membership for $10!
*Visit the shelter for reduced priced merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, tote bags, dog toys and cookbooks!
Call or visit AWS today!
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Watch NECN Friday morning, December 19th!
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Success!
A great story just brightened our holidays from a Sanford family that adopted a Weimaraner from a puppy mill seizure in Greene, Maine. His new mom writes, "Do you recognize this big guy? He was a sick little pup when you all rescued him from Greene. He fought a long battle with a variety of parasites, but he never let it get his spirit down, hence his new name - Triumph. He has grown into a big ball of energy with a passion for chewing! So he has lots of toys, and lots of friends to keep him entertained! Whenever anyone in his family needs to forget their troubles, Triumph is right there to play whatever game one needs to feel better. We could not have special ordered a better addition to our family. Thank you for all you do to give people the chance they need to bring some unconditional love into their lives with these very special pets - true gifts of sunshine in an otherwise gray world."
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Featured Pet
You can often find her taking a snooze in a soft cozy bed or gazing out the window watching the birds. You might even find her sprawled out across the adoption counter with Lori, our adoption counselor. Xena is
searching for that kind, special someone she can call her own.
Coming to us as a very ill stray, completely jaundiced and very
debilitated, Xena was sent to the emergency clinic. Xena received extensive medical treatment totaling more than $500. With the help of a crushed pill added to
her food daily she can keep her liver insufficiency under control. The small amount of
extra effort is sure to be rewarded by love and affection. Visit Xena today!
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Send AWS your Shaw's receipts!
AWS earns 1% of the total of each receipt received...and so far, we've earned nearly $2,000!
Send receipts to: AWS, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094.
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| Give a gift to the animals this holiday season. |
The Animal Welfare Society has had a wonderful year! We're on pace to adopt out more than 1,500 cats - a record! We have also found homes for more than 1,000 dogs and puppies. We can't do it without the help of our community. Thank you for all you do for the Animal Welfare Society. We encourage you to consider a tax-deductible donation to AWS this holiday season - your contributions will go immediately to work for the animals that will be spending the holidays with us .
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Donations can be sent to: Animal Welfare Society, PO Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094
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