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Donate
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Calendar
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Wed, Dec 9 - Registration starts for this summer's Animal Adventure Camp (December 11 for non-residents of Urbana Park District)
Sun, Dec 13 - Pet Photos with Santa at PetSmart. 11am - 4 pm.
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Mon, Dec 14 - Po' Boys BBQ and Pizza. 4 - 9 pm.
Tue, Dec 15 - Open informational meeting for adult volunteers, 6:30 pm, Champaign Public Library.
Sat, Dec 19 - CCHS booth, Lincoln Square Holiday Market.
Sun, Dec 20 - Pet Photos with Santa, PetSmart. 11 - 4 pm.
Mon, Dec 21 - Youth Volunteer Orientation - 3:30pm - 5pm. Please e-mail Laura at 2.volunteer@cuhumane.org to register or for more information.
Now until February 2010 - for every Yotini at Boltini, $1 will be donated to CCHS.
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| Did you know . . . |
That we performed 1,384 surgical procedures at CCHS last year?
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From the Executive Director
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Dear Friends,
I'm thrilled to kick off this month's newsletter with terrific news! Last month, CCHS was awarded a $35,000 Extreme Technology Makeover from Mavidea Technology Group of Bloomington! We've been in desperate need of a computer-system upgrade for a few years now, and thanks to Mavidea, our days of frustration with slow and outdated computers are numbered! The installation of new equipment should begin later this month. Our thanks go out to Mavidea, and congratulations to CCHS Development Director, Lee Ann Donner, who prepared our grant application.
While we're celebrating that good news, we can't deny the fact that we're also experiencing financial stress, as the flow of donations has slowed considerably over the past year. You've no doubt seen the news about the many non-profit agencies that are struggling in the current economic climate. We are just one of many worthy organizations that are feeling the pinch.
With this in mind, we've filled this newsletter with suggestions for ways that you can make a gift to CCHS this holiday season without spending much more than you otherwise would. Shop for gifts from our booth at the Holiday Market in Urbana; support our December activities at PetSmart, Bone Appetit, or Po' Boys BBQ; or make a gift to CCHS in honor of an animal-lover you normally buy a present for. With your help, we'll get through these tough times without cutting back on the care we provide to animals in need.
Thank you for supporting CCHS and on behalf of the entire staff, I wish a happy holiday to you and your pets!
Tief
CCHS Executive Director
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Holiday Wishes
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This holiday season, make a donation to CCHS, and we'll post your holiday wish on the CCHS Holiday Wishes web page. You might want to honor an animal lover you know, a CCHS volunteer, or a family pet. Memorial donations are welcome as well.
Or you may send a check along with your message to 1911 East Main, Urbana, IL 61802. Please indicate it's for a Holiday Wish.
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December 6th Adopted in Memory of Virginia Fischer
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Champaign County Humane Society board member Amy Fischer and her husband, Kevin Brown, have generously adopted Sunday, December 6, in loving memory of Virginia V. Fischer, Amy's mother. Virginia Fischer, a resident of Rhinelander Wisconsin, passed away on September 30, 2009. December 6 would have been her 67th birthday.
Virginia was in her own way a "humane educator." She was a natural teacher and had tremendous respect and love for nature and all living things. Her generosity and compassion touched countless animals as well as people. Even from hundreds of miles away, she was a CCHS supporter. Virginia enjoyed being a Mutt Strut sponsor and donated many items for the Giant Garage Sale. On the sad occasions when Amy and Kevin lost pets, Virginia made donations to CCHS in their memory.
Virginia was a science teacher, a 6th grade teacher, and a health educator. She was an active supporter of 4-H programs and a key member of 4-H summer camp and a county fair project leader. Along with her husband, Donald Fischer, she was named the 1993 Wisconsin Master Shepherd. She was active with her church and her community.
We are very grateful to Amy and Kevin for adopting December 6th in Virginia's memory. Their donation will cover the entire cost of CCHS operations for one day. We hope that Amy and Kevin take some comfort from knowing that Virginia continues to touch the lives of animals through their generous deed.
To Adopt-A-Day or for more information, contact Lee Ann Donner at leeann@cuhumane.org or (217) 344-7297.
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Special Thanks to Harry and Lois Hilton
for starting a generous holiday tradition |
Last year, Harry and Lois Hilton of Champaign decided to give a special holiday gift to their children and grandchildren. Because "the kids have so much," they decided that instead of giving a present to each one, they would make a significant gift to CCHS in honor of each child and grand child. Each recipient received a letter from Executive Director Mary Tiefenbrunn letting them know about the generous gift the Hiltons gave in their honor, and how their gift gave homeless animals the chance for a better future.
The response the Hiltons got from the children and grandchildren was overwhelming. Lois said each one contacted them immediately exclaiming what a wonderful gift it was. Even the grandchildren thought it was "the best present ever." So the Hiltons have decided to make it an annual tradition. Lois says she thinks about CCHS every time she walks her beloved dog. She hopes that the holiday tradition she and Harry have started will encourage their children and grandchildren to become generous donors to CCHS in the future.
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Dine at Po' Boys BBQ & Pizza to Help CCHS
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 Monday, December 14
4:00 - 9:00 pm
Po' Boys will donate 10% of all sales to CCHS.
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| Pictures with the CCHS Santa |
 Bring your pet to PetSmart for a photo with the CCHS Santa!
Sunday, December 13th & Sunday, December 20th
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Petsmart is located at 2017 North Prospect Avenue, Champaign
(217) 351-9244
The cost for your framed photo is $9.95, and $5.00 of each photo purchased will be donated to the Champaign County Humane Society!
CCHS elves will be assisting Santa and collecting donations for CCHS.
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Shop the CCHS Booth at the Holiday Market
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  If you're looking for some unique hand made holiday gifts for the dogs and cats in your life, stop by the CCHS booth at the Holiday Market in Lincoln Square in Urbana on December 19.
We'll have fleece braided tugs (with and without tennis balls), crocheted catnip toys, and handmade greeting cards.
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Pet of the Month: Whiskers
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Whiskers, a 10-year-old gray Tabby, has been with us since April 2009. In May, he was lethargic and losing weight. Shelter veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Stone diagnosed Whiskers with hyperactive thyroid. After some preliminary treatment, Dr. Stone determined that Whiskers was a good candidate for radioactive iodine (I-131) treatment which could cure his hyperthyroidism. He is now "the picture of health" and will not need further treatment.
Whiskers is a gorgeous boy with beautiful green eyes. He LOVES to play with toys despite his age. He wants to be the only cat in his household, but his previous owner reported that he had lived with dogs in the past. He has become a favorite of Dr. Stone and the CCHS Medical staff.
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Alum of the Month: Calamity Jane, aka C.J.
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 When Laura Clower, her husband Lance Cooper, and their three children were ready to add another dog to the family, they decided to adopt a dog that wouldn't otherwise have a home. That's what led them to the Champaign County Humane Society. They wanted a Beagle or Beagle mix based on their reputation as great family pets combined with their size, which was attractive to Laura and her family. After several visits, they went home with eight-year-old Beagle mix, Calamity Jane, or "C.J."
C.J. adjusted quickly to life with her new family. Upon arriving at her new home, she promptly established herself as head of the canines in the house, rendering a slight blow to the ego of Anubis, the family's five-year-old Yellow Lab. Although the two dogs had met during the adoption process, C.J. waited until she got home to show that she is very much an alpha dog. But the two dogs get along fine and in true Beagle form, C.J. has taught Anubis to howl.
We asked Laura to tell us how the family has found the experience of adopting an older dog. She explained that C.J. has arthritis, but that doesn't stop her from going on walks and playing in her fenced-in backyard. Due to her size and age, C.J. makes an ideal walking companion. Although she is a hunting dog and will frequently catch an interesting scent when out on a walk, she doesn't try to bolt or pull to follow the scent. For Laura's family, one of the many benefits of C.J.'s age is her calm demeanor. C.J. is a sweet dog and for Laura it is "gratifying to provide a home to a dog that may have been overlooked."
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Volunteer of the Month: Joyce Rutledge
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 If you're a regular visitor of CCHS or enjoy attending our events, you're bound to run into Joyce Rutledge. Since June 2008, we have been lucky to have Joyce working with the adoption staff to help our patrons find just the right pet. In addition, Joyce is an enthusiastic volunteer at off-site events where her enthusiasm for CCHS makes her a wonderful ambassador for our organization.
As for her "day job," this is Joyce's 36th year as a teacher, primarily at the 5th and 6th grade levels. She is currently working in the Blue Ridge School District where she is also the coach for the elementary speech team.
Whenever she can, Joyce brings her passion for animals into the classroom. Joyce has brought every puppy she has owned to school to socialize the puppy and help the kids learn about dogs. Last year, she brought the entire 6th grade, 65 students, to CCHS for a tour of the shelter with Humane Educator, Clay Foley. The students also held a drive to collect supplies for the shelter. Joyce says it was a "wonderful experience" for the students, and for Joyce too.
We love having Joyce at the shelter because she has developed an excellent working knowledge of shelter operations and is always willing to lend a hand, no matter the task. When interviewed for this article, Joyce let us know that the feeling is mutual. She explained her commitment to volunteering at CCHS:
"I have never met a group of more dedicated and caring individuals than those who work at the CCHS! They genuinely care about the animals they are tending, as well as being fiercely protective of them. I love knowing that I am helping to make a difference in the lives of these animals, as corny as it sounds! I also consider myself an ambassador of the shelter to anyone who will listen...and that includes friends, family, co-workers, students, and people I don't even know!"
Thank you Joyce!!
For more information on volunteering, see Becoming a CCHS Volunteer.
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Employees of the Month: Allison and Maria Broadbent
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 Allison and Maria Broadbent joined the CCHS staff in March 2009 through the youth work program of the Champaign Consortium.
When Allison and Maria started at the shelter, they were shy and soft spoken. Since that time, we have enjoyed seeing Allison and Maria gain skills and confidence. Now Maria and Allison interact comfortably with the staff, volunteers, and patrons who visit the shelter.
Naming Allison and Maria as Employees of the Month was the unanimous decision of the entire staff. Comments from their coworkers include, "They always know what we need before we even ask them!" And, "They help us with everything; laundry, cleaning, socializing cats, setting up cages and helping patrons."
The mission of the Champaign Consortium, through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) and other programs, is to help economically disadvantaged individuals and others who face serious barriers to employment to become productively employed. Allison and Maria's employment with CCHS is funded by the Consortium.
We're so glad we had the opportunity to work with the consortium and provide Allison and Maria with their first work experience. We hope it has been as rewarding for them as it has been for us!
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Need Help with Animal Behavior?
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You can get free online advice from the ASPCA's Virtual Animal Behaviorist.
Every day, animal shelters across the nation take in unwanted pets due to behavior problems. While some behavior problems are severe, many can be resolved with some fairly simple changes to the way we interact with our pet. The most important thing to do when a problem arises is to get some advice and address the problem early! Inappropriate behaviors are much easier to modify before they escalate or become habitual.
A new free resource is available to assist pet owners who have questions or concerns about pet behavior. The Virtual Pet Behaviorist is a service provided by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the same organization that runs the Animal Poison Control Center.
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Special Needs
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Because donations are down this year, we really need your help.
Please consider CCHS when making your year-end charitable contributions.
Donations may be made by sending a check to Champaign County Humane Society, 1911 E. Main Street, Urbana, IL 61802.
Donations to CCHS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, are tax deductible.
The Champaign County Humane Society does not receive funding from any governmental unit or national charitable organization.
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| Shop Bone Appetit |
 Make a donation to CCHS at Bone Appetit Pet Boutique and Bakery between December 7th and 20th and receive a $2.00 coupon for Bone Appetit merchandise. Located at 1912-B Round Barn Road in the Round Barn Shopping Center next to Smoothie King. 359-BONE (2663). Leashed dogs welcome!
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Shelter Hours
Adoptions
Mon, Wed, Thu, and Fri: 2 PM to 7 PM
Sat: 11 AM to 6 PM
Sun: 11 AM to 4 PM
Relinquishing an Animal
Mon, Wed, Thu, and Fri: 2 PM to 4 PM
Sat and Sun - 11 AM to 1 PM
Tuesdays by appointment
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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