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| Issue 11 - Quarter 3, 2010 |
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Greetings!
(Please click above where TO VIEW THIS ENTIRE ENEWSLETTER PLEASE click here is indicated. Since different email programs may display information differently than intended, this will make sure you are able to enjoy the entire enewsletter.)
The Shelter is always in need of volunteers and they are an extremely vital part of the Humane Society. Whether it's fifteen minutes, an hour, or several hours at a time, the animals at the Shelter always benefit from the caring and attention they receive from the people in our community. Volunteer Orientation is given on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Shelter. Once you have attended, you can assist at the Shelter according to your own schedule; no appointment necessary. Nice!
There are many pets at the Shelter who would love to walk with you or have you sit with them for awhile while they await their loving and forever homes. You will be surprised at how good you feel for bringing some small comfort to our animal friends.
Please click here for more information about Volunteer Orientation:
For all the animals,
Volunteers Karen and Bruce Roberts
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WANTED: A Person to Edit the Humane Society of Skagit Valley Enewsletter
It has been a rewarding experience for us as editors of the enewsletter but it is time for us to move on to other volunteer activities. We hope to find a replacement editor (or editors). This is a terrific way to meet people and the adorable pets who own the people. This is a great opportunity to write positive and happy stories about the staff and pets at the Shelter. We have many happy memories of writing stories about fun-filled events, fundraisers, and feature articles about the animal lovers in our community. All you need is reliable access to a computer and a commitment of your time. We use Constant Contact software to publish the enewsletter. It is easy to learn and supported 24/7. This is an outstanding way to share the joy and happiness us animal lovers know in a very special way.
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2nd Annual Anne Jackson
Memorial Run/Walk
Saturday, August 21, 2010
In honor and remembrance of
Deputy Anne Jackson and her love for animals
All event proceeds go to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley.
2 Mile Walk (dogs welcome!)
Formerly Humane Society's "Doggone Walkathon"
No dog? Just call the Shelter and ask about walking a Shelter dog.
Collect pledges from sponsors prior to the event.
Collect $50 or more in pledges and receive a free t-shirt and free registration.
"Top Dog Award" will be handed out to the highest pledge donation.
5 K & 10 K Run
Awards given for race winners.
Registration, printable pledge sheets, and more information available online at
www.skagithumane.com
Come join us after the walk/runs for refreshments, run placement awards, and Top Dog recognition.
You can help by making a cash donation.
Business Sponsor
For a donation of $250, your business logo will be included in our brochure, website, enewsletter, and our thank you published in the local newspaper.
Honorable Mention Sponsor
For a donation of $100, your name or business will be listed on our website.
Race Director:
Herb Oberg
Phone: 360-661-6503
Email: hwoberg@gmail.com
Location: Humane Society of Skagit Valley
18841 Kelleher Road
Burlington, WA 98233
Phone: (360)757-4050
Fax: (360)757-2568
Website: www.skagithumane.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sat-Sun 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Day-of-Race Registration
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Required for 2 mile walk
2 Mile Walk Start
9:15 a.m.
5 K & 10 K Run Start
9:30 a.m.
Memorial Ceremony
11:30 a.m. |
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Donate to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley
If you wish to donate to the animals online, below is a link to PayPal.
Please click the link and follow the instructions.
or
If you wish to donate and write a check, please make it payable to the
Humane Society of Skagit Valley and mail to:
Humane Society of Skagit Valley
18841 Kelleher Road
Burlington, WA 98233 |
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History of the Humane Society of Skagit Valley
Part I of II
by Sandy Nelson, HSSV Director
Ever since I can remember, my love for all animals was evident. My days as a young girl were spent riding my horse through the farmlands of Skagit County. I recall it seemed like every stray found its way to our house. My parents were soft touches when it came to pets and opened our home to all of them.
I knew I wanted to work with animals and attended a veterinarian technician program at around age 20. After I graduated, I heard about the Humane Society Shelter from a friend. I started working at the Shelter until I could find a job with a veterinarian. The Shelter had been there for five years and consisted of dog runs with the front office located within the run area; very noisy! At that time Skagit County was a farming community and local veterinarians would come to the Shelter to help animals in need. It became obvious to me that I could provide more hands-on care with the shelter animals than working with a veterinarian. Eventually I was asked to be the Director and happily accepted the position.
Sandy Nelson
with Lilly and Zypher, two rescue dogs
During the 1980s a considerable amount of time was spent explaining the benefits of having pets spayed and neutered. We needed to change the thinking of many people. We developed mandatory requirements for having all pets spayed/neutered upon adoption from the Shelter. Also, during the 1980's we hired the first ever paid part-time Skagit County Humane Officer.
In 1988 Skagit County officials approached our Humane Society to enforce a new state law called the Dangerous Dog Law. Our Shelter developed the very first Dangerous Dog program and at the same time entered into a contract with Skagit County to enforce the new law along with animal cruelty laws.
I was appointed a Humane Officer by a local judge. In addition, we hired a full-time Animal Control Officer. We impounded such animals as cattle and horses that were not being cared for. Local volunteer foster care was used to board and rehabilitate the animals pending the cruelty trials in court. I recall one case that involved 18 horses from an abusive local breeder and trainer. I also remember the case with 15 cows from an upriver farmer who spoke with a gun in his hand, and the case with 40 fighting cocks that were held for many months pending trial. In 2001, the enforcement contracts were transferred to the Sheriff's Department and we continued with Skagit County's boarding contracts.
We sheltered thousands of dogs and cats at our old Shelter but we were out-growing it fast. I always thought there was a guardian angel watching the Shelter and had many experiences to prove it. For example, one day in 1993 I was outside of the old building painting the trim on the door and a man came up and started talking to me; he was from out of town and visiting the golf course down the road. Surprisingly, before he left he handed me a card and told me to call him regarding funding for the Shelter. I did not know that he was a representative for the Marguerite Doe Foundation, a large foundation set up to benefit animals. We were able to receive a matching grant of $45,000 and another $45,000 from a supporter to build the offices and spay and neuter clinic in the back of the old building. The building improvements made it much easier to spay, neuter and adopt pets. Later the same foundation supported our outside exercise area.
Our county had grown by 50,000 people since the first Shelter was built and the need for a new building was desperately growing. Shelter representatives knew that we needed a plan to raise the money needed.
Stay tuned for Part II when Sandy shares about the new building. |
Black Cat Triumphs |
The 15th Annual Black Cat Auction
Makes Above $22,000
What immediately comes to mind when describing the 15th Annual Black Cat Auction is the expression "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Let's face it, the economy is not the best these days, but that didn't stop the people that donated their goods and services to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley. And that didn't stop the crowds of people from attending the Black Cat Auction on May 1.
The Burlington Community Center was literally buzzing with activity, conversation, and laughter in each room. There were rooms filled with silent auction items. There was something for everyone as people walked around looking at the huge variety of offerings. The live auction that followed dinner was fantastic; after all there is nothing like some friendly bidding wars for the cause. The Shelter made over $22,000!
Top Dog sponsors were Calico Cupboard Restaurant and Bakery, Alyeska Ocean Inc., Allstate Insurance (Agent Annette Booth), Ellie Wright Basset Hound Rescue, Skagit State Bank, and Suzanne Klein.
Colossal Cat sponsors were Norm Wallace Agency, Terra Vita Cat Sanctuary, Pet Portrait Rocks by Lisa, Tom's Storage and Rentals, and Howard Mizuta DDS of Gentle Dentistry.
Pictured to the right are HSSV staff member Erika Hudson and Bessy.
Bessy was placed in her loving and forever home the very next day, thanks to her guest appearance.
 Pictured to the left is Julia Weinberg.
Julia sold all 32 pet sponsorships offered. The pet sponsorship program involves having pet bios and photos featured in the Skagit Valley Herald. Pet sponsorships boast a 90% placement rate. (Julie sold all pet sponsorships offered at the last Black Cat Auction as well.)
From everyone at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, a heartfelt thank you to all the individuals, businesses, and countless volunteers who supported this fantastic event.
Pictured Above: Kylene Nelson, Kaeleigh Jarrells, and Emily Reid.
We will see you next time. |
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Meet Catherine Wyman,
Creator of La Conner's Season of Giving
You may know Catherine Wyman as one of the proprietors of Wyman Park Gifts of Distinction in La Conner. Catherine single-handedly created the Season of Giving charitable event this past holiday season. "I thought of the idea of La Conner merchants donating 10% of their sales to worthwhile charities on a given day." The Humane Society of Skagit Valley was selected to benefit from one Sunday's sales. The next week, the Boys & Girls Club was selected and Hospice Foundation on the final Sunday. Catherine went door to door to her neighboring businesses and asked if they wanted to participate. "Everyone believed in the causes that were selected," Catherine said.
Sandy Nelson, Humane Society Director, reported the Shelter greatly benefited from the generosity of the La Conner merchants who took part in this wonderful program. Sandy is very grateful to the community who shopped in La Conner during this special event.
Catherine became aware of the Humane Society of Skagit Valley some 35 years ago and has been a big supporter ever since. Most recently, her granddaughter fell madly in love with a cat at the Shelter and Catherine helped her go through the adoption process.
In June 2010, Wyman Park celebrated its 25th year!
Wyman Park is located at 101 South First Street, La Conner, WA 98257
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. PST daily
1-877-WYMANPK (1-877-996-2675)
Email: info@wymanpk.com
Website: http://www.wymanpk.com/ |
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You Heard It Here First
Back in the Q1 2010 issue of this enewsletter we introduced you to Kathy Brown and Yvonne Allen. Kathy works as a registered nurse at Skagit Valley Hospital and Yvonne works as a receptionist at United General Hospital.
Kathy created the program to donate the non-recyclable operating room instrument wrappers, towels, and basins used at Skagit Valley Hospital to the Humane Society of Skagit Valley. Yvonne is one of the dedicated volunteers who collects and delivers items so they can be donated.
The idea was to donate these materials to the Humane Society where they can be used to give privacy and comfort to the pets at the Shelter. The program greatly benefits the Shelter and Skagit Valley Hospital and has a direct effect on preserving our environment. It also saves a substantial amount of money on laundry and cleaning expenses at the Shelter.
Since we last wrote about this valuable program, the media as well as health institutions have reached out to Kathy. They want to tell the story. KOMO 4 TV News in Seattle as well as the Skagit Valley Herald covered the story. A hospital in Reno NV, a hospital network in Phoenix AZ, Lewis County Humane Society, the University of Washington Medical Center, and the Washington State Nurses Association are some of the groups that have contacted Kathy. They wanted to know how to implement these ideas among their groups in their own communities.
Kathy and Yvonne are thrilled to see the interest this project has generated and they hope that other communities will receive the benefits of this win-win situation.
Pictured Above: Yvonne Allen and Kathy Brown
As a note, Kathy consistently does a great deal of volunteer work at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley. Her tireless efforts are appreciated by all who are affiliated with the Shelter. She is an outstanding example of the idea of putting community support together to benefit the animals at the Shelter. |
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Humane Society Thrift Shop News
Summer is here and the Humane Society Thrift Shop is bursting with summer clothing, sandals, and accessories at bargain prices! The Humane Society relies heavily on funds raised through the Thrift Shop for day-to-day care of the animals. All donations of clean and resalable merchandise to the Humane Society Thrift Shop directly benefit the animals. We appreciate your help!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, September 30: Opening of the HALLOWEEN CORNER....all things black, orange, scary and fun! Shop early for the best selection of costumes and decorations!
Monday, November 15: Opening of the CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. Now this is something worth marking on your calendars, as we collect and store items throughout the year for this spectacular event. About half the store turns into a Christmas extravaganza with decorations, lights, trees, clothing, jewelry, and even many new items suitable for gifts! Don't miss it!
We hope to see you soon!
The Humane Society Thrift Shop is located at 525-D East College Way, Mount Vernon, just four doors north of Value Village.
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
On behalf of all the animals served by the proceeds from the Humane Society Thrift Shop, we thank you for your support!
Click below for more info:
Written by: Megan Strong, Humane Society Thrift Shop Manager |
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For those with a Facebook account, please click here:
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No Facebook account? No problem, please click here:
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Featured Pets, in Their Own Words
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Hi, my name is Casper and I am nine years old. I am named after Casper the Friendly Ghost because I am extremely friendly. And, no, that is not a white sheet I am wearing as I actually have a beautiful silky coat. I would love to be yours!
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My name is Peach and I am 10 years old. I was on the streets and wandered into someone's yard one day because I saw shelter. It was incredibly stormy and I was so cold, hungry, and scared. Would you give me a chance, pretty please? I will make every day with you peachy forever more.
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Hi, I'm Cole. I am about one year old. This little bed at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley is sure nice and snuggly. I bet you have a bigger bed at your place. I would love to try it out and be your forever friend.
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My name is Walker. I have a great sense of humor and enjoy making others laugh. Walk with me and you can be a walker too. Get it? I am extremely loving and will prove my dedication and devotion to you every day.
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Hi, my name is Lucy and I am about four years old. You look like a very nice person. Would you take me home with you? I have a lot of affection and love to give.
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Hello, I am a little over one year old now and go by the name Boomer. I'm the strong and silent type but I am very friendly. Come on over here and give me a hug! I will be your loyal companion and true friend through all time.
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P.S. When you come to the Shelter to see us, if we are not here, it means we have found our loving and forever families. There are many more pets waiting to meet you who would love to be by your side. |
We hope you enjoyed the 2010 third quarter issue of the
Humane Society of Skagit Valley's enewsletter.
We would love to hear from you!
Please email us at:
For all the animals,
Volunteers Karen and Bruce Roberts |
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