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| Did you know . . . |
That this year will mark our 25th Annual Giant Garage Sale?
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| Calendar |
Fri. & Sat., May 22 & 23
25th Annual Giant Garage Sale
Champaign County Fairgrounds
Mon., May 25 - Marble Slab Creamery in Savoy to donate 1/2 of proceeds from ice cream sales
Sat., June 6 - CCHS Booth at the Urbana Farmers' Market
Now until February 2010 - for every Yotini at Boltini, $1 will be donated to CCHS.
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| From the Executive Director |
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Dear Friends,
We got lucky with the weather on Saturday and had a beautiful morning for Mutt Strut 2009 at Hessel Park in Champaign. For those of you that didn't make it, you missed a great gathering of CCHS friends, volunteers, shelter dogs and canine alums.
For the second year in a row, the top Mutt Strut fundraiser was CCHS Volunteer, Jody Peterson. Jody collected over $4,000 in donations this year. Thank you, Jody!
As fun as the Mutt Strut was, there is still more fun to come later this month at the Champaign County Fairgrounds, home of the CCHS GIANT Garage Sale. Shopping the sale is fun, but volunteering is also a great time. Truth be told, some of our die-hard Garage Sale Volunteers actually take vacation days from work to spend time helping with the sale. We don't require that kind of dedication, of course, but we sure do appreciate those individuals for their commitment.
If you'd like to get in on the Garage Sale fun, you'll find more information in the next article.
And on that note, I'll let you get to it. This issue of the Enewsletter is packed with interesting articles and links to all the information you need on the GIANT Garage Sale, and much, much more.
Very truly yours,
Tief
CCHS Executive Director
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| It's Time For the Annual Giant Garage Sale! |
 Last year CCHS earned a record $45,000 from the Annual Giant Garage Sale to help homeless animals in our community! We need your help to continue this level of success. We're looking for volunteers, donors and shoppers to make it all come together.
Currently, we are in need of volunteers starting May 10 to help with set up and preparation before we begin accepting donations May 14-17.
May 18-21 we'll need more volunteers to receive, sort, organize and price donations. Volunteers who work at least 10 hours before the sale and commit to work four hours on Sale Days are able to purchase items in advance of the sale.
The sale takes place in Kesler Hall at the Champaign County Fairgrounds on Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23. The sale opens Friday morning at 7 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m.; we ask for a $2 donation until 3 p.m. On Saturday, the sale opens at 8 a.m. (no donation this day) and the bag sale begins at 3 p.m. Everything you can fit in a bag is $3; we provide the bags! The sale ends Saturday at 6 p.m.
If you are unable to volunteer, but would still like to help, you can participate by making donations of good, useable items that are not broken or worn out. We will accept clothing that is in good condition (no stains or tears); books (no magazines, encyclopedias or textbooks); housewares; tools; garden gear; linens; home d�cor, etc. For a complete list of what we can and cannot accept, view the Garage Sale link above.
Drop offs will be accepted at Kesler Hall:
Thursday, May 14: Noon to 7 p.m.
Friday, May 15: Noon to 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 16: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 17: Noon to 3 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you at the sale! We offer great bargain shopping and always have a huge variety of merchandise to meet every need!
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| Heartworm Prevention - Protect Your Dog! |
Right now, CCHS is treating two dogs for Heartworm Disease.
In Illinois, cases of Heartworm Disease are not uncommon and a recent press release from the American Heartworm Society reported that Heartworm cases are on the rise in the United States. Now that Spring is here, it's very important to make sure that your dog has been tested for Heartworm and is receiving the correct dosage of a Heartworm preventative on a regular schedule. Contact your veterinarian if you need to have your dog tested for Heartworm, or are unsure if it's necessary, and to get started on preventative treatment. Heartworm is a serious disease, but it is preventable.
Click on the link below to read more about the Heartworm Society's survey.
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| Keep Your Garden Pet Safe |
Flowers and trees are blooming all over Champaign County. It's beautiful and enjoyable for most, but did you know that some items that you have planted in your garden may be toxic to your pets? If consumed, certain flowers and plants like azaleas, oleander, tulips and crocuses can cause serious illness, even death in animals, according to the Animal Poison Control experts at the ASPCA. Even nibbles on a lily plant can cause severe kidney damage to cats. The best way to prevent illness is to keep your animals away from poisonous plants. If you're one of the many people who plans on expanding or renovating your garden this spring, the ASPCA offers a research database that lists what plants are toxic to cats, dogs or horses so that pet owners can plan safer garden areas. Another resource for dog owner's is Cheryl Smith's book, "Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs." Smith offers advice on such topics as plant selection, garden placement and training your dog to dig only in an approved digging area.
If your pet ingests a toxic plant (or any potentially toxic substance) and you need advice in a hurry, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline can be a great resource. Veterinarians can be reached through the Hotline at 888-426-4435, 24 hours a day. (A fee is charged for some telephone consultations.) |
Memorial Day - A Great Day For Ice Cream!
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On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, Marble Slab Creamery in Savoy will be donating half of all ice cream sale proceeds to CCHS!
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Enjoy a Yotini and Help a Homeless Animal |
 When CCHS foster parent Nikki Hillier lost her beloved Beagle Mix, Yossarian (Yo), last August, she wanted to do something that would honor his memory and help other animals find loving homes.
She discussed her thoughts with Robb Tobias, who manages Boltini Lounge , a martini bar in downtown Champaign. Robb came up with the idea for "The Drink that Gives." From now until February 2010, whenever anyone orders a Yotini at Boltini, $1 will be donated to CCHS.
The Yotini is a mix of sake-vodka, cucumber vodka and midori with a splash of fresh juice. It's the ultimate refreshing spring/summer cocktail. Now that the weather is finally cooperating and people are coming out of their homes from a long, winter hibernation, taking part in a Happy Hour to honor Yo and all the animals at CCHS sounds like a great get together!
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Stuffed Adoptions : Adopt a Stuffed Pet to Help a Real One
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Stuffed Adoptions has a variety of brand new stuffed animal dogs, cats and bunny rabbits available for purchase, and 25% of your purchase price will go to CCHS to help us help real animals. Stuffed Adoptions makes a wonderful gift, birthday, pet memorial gift, get well present, Easter, Christmas or holiday present. You can even include a gift message! Just use this link and your purchase will be credited to CCHS.
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Volunteer of the Month: Tom Schaefges
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 This month, we're honoring long-time volunteer, Tom Schaefges, for two recent phenomonal contributions to CCHS.
First, we thank Tom for generously becoming our Manager of Information Technology (aka "I T Guy"). Tom has helped us unravel technological mysteries, install new software, decrease spam, and keep our quirky computer system running. Most importantly, Tom is in the process of installing a new back-up system that will keep our data secure.
We're also honoring Tom in recognition of the Pups Is Pups blog through which he shared the experience of fostering a litter of puppies. Tom, and partner, Harriett Weatherford, took Daisy and her five puppies into their home in March. From the day they arrived, visitors to the blog could follow each pup's progress as they gained weight and explored their world. Tom posted photos, updates, articles on early puppy development and care, and best-of-all, a live puppy cam! All of Tom's posts were beautifully written and his photographs were stunning, as usual.
Although Daisy and the puppies have all been adopted, you can still visit the blog at http://pupsispups.blogspot.com.
Tom began volunteering for CCHS in 1989. He has provided CCHS with 20 years of extraordinary volunteer service, and we hope to have him another 20 years! |
Employee of the Month: Kathleen McGinley
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 Kathleen McGinley (aka Kate), has worked as a member of our adoption staff for over a year and a half. She is responsible for interviewing potential adopters, approving applications, answering phones and processing intakes of relinquished animals. Kate is also our resident expert on domestic rabbits.
Along with her normal adoption duties, Kate has recently taken on additional responsibilities, including the design and editing of many of our print brochures. Kate brings artistic skill, attention to detail, and fresh enthusiasm to these endeavors! Kate also keeps an eye out for fundraising opportunities and brings novel ideas to management on a regular basis. We're lucky to have Kate, a self-motivated, dedicated and loyal member of our team. |
Pet of the Month: Jinxy
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 Jinxy is a very friendly, lovable cat who is about three years old. He has been at the shelter since February 2009. He was brought in because his owners were moving and their new landlord would not allow pets. Jinxy likes to have his privacy under the couch in the communal cat room, but if you call him he will come out for some petting and attention. He will do anything for a belly rub!
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Featured Alum: Freya
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 Olga Vinogradova and her fianc� Dan Fike always wanted a canine companion in their lives, but they never felt their student-housing situation was appropriate for the active dog they desired. When the couple purchased their first home, they made sure it had a fenced yard so they could finally open their home to a canine family member.
"When we went to the Humane Society looking for a dog we weren't really planning on finding one the first time there," Olga said. "We played with a few other dogs first, but none of them really 'clicked' with us. Then we got to Freya (formerly Cybil)... She was obedient, polite and just a joy! We played fetch with her, and she showed us how well she could retrieve, sit, lie down, and even stay. We played with her in one of the outdoor pens until it got dark, and then spent more time with her in a get-acquainted room. We had found our girl!"
These days, Freya is often found curled up in the lap of one of her owners after a long day of chasing tennis balls or acing her obedience training with the Dog Training Club of Champaign-Urbana. She's also learned to live with another CCHS alum, Atlas (formerly Fred) the feline, adopted in 2007.
Olga and Dan say they're grateful to all of the staff and volunteers at the Humane Society. "You are all amazing, and we can't thank you enough for helping us find our little furry kids!"
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Shelter Hours
Adoptions
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 2 PM to 7 PM
Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM
Sunday: 11 AM to 4 PM
Relinquishing an Animal
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 2 PM to 4 PM
Saturday and Sunday - 11 AM to 1 PM
The shelter is closed on Tuesdays and legal holidays.
Address - 1911 East Main Street, Urbana, IL, 61802
Phone - 217-344-7297
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