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Calendar
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Mon April 19 - Adult Volunteer Orientation; 6 - 7 pm at the Champaign Public Library
Sat April 24 - Mutt Strut
Hessel Park, Champaign
Sat May 8 - 1 - 4 pm. Downward Dog A Thon at Amara Yoga, Urbana
Sat May 8 - Family Fun Day at the Mahomet IGA
May 20 - 23 - Dropoffs accepted at Fairgrounds for the 2010 Giant Garage Sale
May 28, 29 - Giant Garage Sale at the Fairgrounds
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| Did you know . . . |
that CCHS has four licensed Humane Investigators on staff?
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From the Executive Director
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Dear Friends,
I hope you'll join me and friends of the Champaign County Humane Society at this year's Mutt Strut at Hessel Park on April 24th. And yes, you're welcome to attend even if you don't have a dog!
Mutt Strut is not just an event for dogs--it's an event for all pet lovers to enjoy, and it's a fund drive. The funds raised from the Mutt Strut go toward the shelter's operating expenses and benefit all the animals at the Champaign County Humane Society: cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, ferrets, even the occasional bird or reptile.
You can make a difference for animals by helping to raise funds between now and the April 24th Mutt Strut. If you don't have a dog to walk, you can solicit donations and walk in memory of a cat you adopted long ago, or in honor of your guinea pig, or whatever inspires you!
You can find more information about participating in the Mutt Strut at our website, www.cuhumane.org.
If you're ready to register or join the fund drive online, go to www.firstgiving.com/cuhumane, and click "get started." If you are setting up a fundraising page, but won't be attending the event, select "virtual registration." There is also an option for registering to walk "with a dog" or "without a dog." Mutt Strut is not just about dogs and dog lovers. It's about raising funds for all the animals that need our love and protection. It's about coming together to celebrate the bond we share with our pets. And perhaps most importantly, it's about making a public show of support and raising awareness of a cause we believe in.
Please walk with us on Saturday morning April 24th to show your support for a humane community and to celebrate our love of animals and the joy they bring to our lives!
Tief
CCHS Executive Director |
| Tasty Treats for Pups at the Mutt Strut! |
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Mutt Strut Prizes
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Thanks to Hill's Science Diet and Blain's Farm & Fleet for donating prizes
for our Mutt Strut contest winners!
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Mutt Strut
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Saturday, April 24
Hessel Park in Champaign
Schedule
8:00-8:45 am - Check-in/Registration Early birds can enjoy Starbucks coffee & donuts while browsing the vendor booths
8:45 am - Blessing of the Dogs
9:00 am - Walk Begins
9:45 am - Contests and activities for dogs and people too! (Weather permitting) Contests will include: Best Trick, Best Tail-Wagger & an Egg Race New this year: Fabulous prize baskets for contest winners! Activities include: lure course, bobbing for hot dogs, agility equipment & "Find the Treat" shell game!
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Support our Mutt Strut Sponsors
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| Yoga for Dogs? Not Exactly . . . |
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Saturday May 8th 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Get down for the dogs at the Amara Yoga and Arts Studio DOWNWARD DOGATHON to raise funds for the animals at CCHS. In addition to downward-dogging, you might also enjoy animal-related arts and craft projects (for kids and adults), cookie nibbling & tea sipping, and visiting with CCHS representatives. All the human members of your family are welcome.
The Yoga classes will start at 1:00 and 2:15 and are open to ALL levels. No class fee is required; just a donation for CCHS.
| Pet of the Month: Baby D
|  Baby D is one of our most cheerful shelter residents. She is an approximately 4-year-old, spayed female Lab mix. When Baby D arrived at CCHS, we noticed right away that something was wrong with her left front leg. She had a slight limp in addition to what looked like muscle twitches. Our medical staff also observed decreased muscle mass in the left shoulder area. Upon examination by a local veterinarian, it is now believed that Baby D's shoulder problem is due to a bout of Distempter as a puppy. Distemper is a contagious, viral disease that is often fatal. Fortunately, Distemper is rarely seen today because pets are routinely vaccinated against it. Often survivors of Distemper are left with neurological symptoms exactly like those we see in Baby D -- muscle twitching, muscle wasting, and muscle spasms. There is no "cure" for Baby D's symptoms, but we do not believe they are causing her any pain. She is very mobile and LOVES playing with other dogs and toys. Spend two minutes with this wonderful dog and you'll be asking "what problem?" |
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Alumni of the Month: Blackie and Suzie Q
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Steve Flower and Chris Brown adopted Blackie and Suzie Q and posted an update on the CCHS website after their first full week at home.
Steve wrote that both cats are settling in nicely. While their activity levels have raised considerably since their first day at home, they have also become "quite the cuddly couple."
Blackie has been very interested in watching birds on the bird-feeder through the bedroom window. After two unsuccessful leaps toward the feeder, Blackie came to better understand the window concept.
Steve's only problem with the cats is that they are causing a slight loss of productivity. You see, Steve works out of a home office and in the mid-afternoon Blackie and Suzie Q have been demanding some cuddle time. Steve has confessed that it's actually a welcome interuption, despite the dent in productivity.
Steve also wrote that the adoption of Blackie and Suzie Q marks the start of what is sure to be a long and beautiful story. In closing he wrote, "Thank you for all your efforts and patience with us - this is my first cat in nearly 20 years, and Chris' first cat in several years, so it took us a couple visits to find the right match. We appreciate everything you have done to make the adoption process as easy and painless as possible."
We're so glad we were able to help Steve and Chris find their felines and look forward to hearing news and updates for years to come!
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| Volunteer of the Month: Sarah Finney |
 Sarah Finney has been a reliable volunteer dog-walker at CCHS since December of 2008. She rarely misses a shift and is never deterred by bad weather. Sarah even helps out on holidays. We also appreciate that Sarah does what she can to help find homes for dogs by posting their photos on her Facebook page and bragging about their attributes.
 Sarah feels it's important to show shelter dogs that people are here to love and care for them. She enjoys spending time with each of the dogs and providing them with playtime and petting. Her heart goes out to dogs that aren't adopted quickly and she makes a point to give those dogs extra time, hugs, and kisses. Sarah says that she has met some great people at CCHS. She enjoys talking about animals, animal cruelty, and her love of Pit Bull dogs "incessantly" and has found friends at CCHS who share those interests. We're so glad that Sarah has found a niche with us!
Thank you, Sarah, for opening your heart to homeless dogs.
For more information on volunteering, see Becoming a CCHS Volunteer.
| Employee of the Month: Clay Foley
|  This month's award for exemplary performance goes to Humane Investigator/Eductor, Clay Foley, for the extra-special care he gave to several dogs. The dogs were surrendered to CCHS following an investigation led by Champaign County Animal Control, on which Clay provided assistance. Six Great Dane mixes and three other mixed-breed dogs had been living outdoors and appeared to be totally unaccustomed to human contact. The dogs were so uneasy with collars and leashes that each of them had to be carried from the premises to the animal-transport vans, and then carried again into our facility. Clay knew that getting these dogs accustomed to normal human interaction was critical if these dogs were ever to become family pets. Not wanting to burden other members of the CCHS staff, Clay took it upon himself to help these dogs adjust. He arrived at the shelter early every morning and stayed late every evening to work with the dogs. Much of this time was spent gently coaxing the dogs in and out of the building and getting them used to walking on leash. Often Clay's wife, Amanda, came with him to help. Meanwhile, Shelter manager, Michelle McKnight, worked on finding rescue groups that could provide the Great Danes with additional socialization and training before finding them new forever homes. She ultimately found spots for all six Great Danes, utilizing three different organizations. Clay himself drove four of the Great Danes to meet their rescue transports outside Chicago. Clay's commitment to these dogs has never wavered. Earlier this week, he brought Roxy--the last of this group of dogs remaining at CCHS--on WICD15 TV News, hoping that her future family would see her and fall in love. Watch Roxy's TV appearance online here: WICD Pet of the Week - Roxy. CCHS is grateful to Clay for his inspirational commitment, patience, and compassion. |
Spring Cleaning?
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Champaign County Humane Society Volunteers will be ready to accept donations for the annual GIANT Garage Sale at the Fairgrounds, May 20 through 23.
What do we want?
Good, useable items that are not broken or worn out. We will accept clothing, but please do not bring items that are stained, torn or badly worn. Yes, we DO want books. We also sell live plants, so if you have any extras, bring them by.
What DON'T we want?
Please do not bring anything broken or with missing parts, carpeting, children's car seats, chemicals, computer monitors (unless flat screen), console TVs, flammable liquids, large appliances or large pieces of furniture, lumber, magazines, mattresses/box springs, out-dated computers, paint, sinks, tires, underwear or swimsuits, weapons, or windows. We have difficulty reselling these items and must pay to have someone else haul them away. Plus, they take up a great deal of space in the building.
| | Buffalo Wild Wings |
 Eat Wings - Raise Funds
Every Monday - April 19th through June 21st
Present an "Eat Wings - Raise Funds" ticket at
Buffalo Wild Wings and they will donate
10% of your pre-tax food purchases to CCHS.
Share the tickets with your friends and co-workers.
There is no restriction on distributing tickets!
Participating Locations:
Champaign, IL (217.378.4400) � Savoy, IL (217.356.9464)
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| Animal Adventure Camp is Back! |  Last summer, the Champaign County Humane Society partnered with the Urbana Park District to offer a summer day-camp program for kids. CCHS Humane Educator, Clay Foley, developed an excellent program of lessons and activities exploring topics such as responsible pet ownership, animal neglect, respect for animals, animal safety, and pet overpopulation. The camp was very popular, and the feedback from campers and their parents was excellent. We're proud to announce that Animal Adventure Camp is back again this year as part of the Urbana Park District's Summer Camp program.
Animal Adventure Camp is available to children ages 7 -11 and runs from August 9th through 13th, from 8:30 to Noon.
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Special Needs
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CCHS seeks the following in-kind donations to help
with some pressing needs.
Animal Care Items
- Treat pouches (belt pouch or clip-on style) for our volunteer dog trainers
- Sturdy buckle collars for Medium and Large sized dogs
- Extra Large (XL) Kong dog toys
Other Goods & Services
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Digital Photo Frames. We need digital photo frames (8" x 10" or larger) to display photos of our adoptable animals at events.
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Pot-hole repair in our parking lot. Driving through our parking lot may be hazardous to your car.
See our Wish List for more in-kind donation ideas.
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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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