CCHS News for November

Here we are again in the holiday season; can you believe it? Late summer and early fall are so busy at CCHS, I have to confess that the holidays come as a bit of a relief. Things usually slow down for us and we can enjoy the festive spirit. We also receive lots of cards and letters from both recent and long-ago adopters, sharing stories about their now-beloved pets. The staff absolutely loves hearing from all of you and all our animal alums!

I'd like to send a shout-out of gratitude to this year's CCHS football concession stand volunteers! These volunteers give up an entire Saturday (some of them more than one) to staff our stand and earn funds for the shelter. CCHS board members Amy Sponsler and Mary Ann Midden did a great job as first-time co-managers of the stand and together we thank the entire crew for a job well done!

Debby Borg Bill Brown

Jamie Caldwell Steve Cochran

Mark David Darci David

Laura Davis Cindy Doyle

Marielle Estrada Amy Fischer

Amanda Foley Patricia Frye-Warmbier

Eric Fulkerson Susan Helmink

Nate Herman Angela Hoclomb

Ginny Hudak-David Louis Kloth

Sharon Lee Karen Lee

Shontelle Looney Cassandra Looney

Jackie McCarten Megan Morris

Marla Nelson Nikkole Parsons

Jim Payne Martha Ramirez

Cathy Sample Traci Sanford

Lisa Stark Konstantine Tourquie

Chris Williams Yipian Yang

Jerry Young

While I'm doling out thanks, I'd also like to thank the Art Coop, Sun Singer Wine & Spirits, and the student organization, Shi Ai, for launching November events to benefit CCHS. We really appreciate these efforts on our behalf!

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving and hoping we'll see you at some of our upcoming activities around town,

Tief
CCHS Executive Director

Art Coop's $50 "Art for the Animals" Show & Sale

Picasso Grand Opening

of the
Art Coop's $50

"Art for the Animals"

Show & Sale

Friday, November 19th

7 - 9 pm - Art Coop

Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana

Please join us for an evening of art appreciation and fun at the Art Coop in Lincoln Square in Urbana on Friday November 19 from 7 to 9 pm. Local artists have graciously donated original works of art for the First "Art for the Animals" show and sale, and their works will be on display and for sale for $50 from November 19th to December 30th.

CCHS thanks the Art Coop for donating 100% of art sale proceeds to CCHS!

Wine for a Cause - ADOPT A LAB at Sun Singer

Throughout November - coincidentally National Philanthropy Month -
Sun Singer will donate $2 to the Champaign County Humane Society
for every bottle of LAB "adopted"

From the Sun Singer website:

Now's the time to open a wine that gives the world more than just a little pleasure. This November, Sun Singer is proud to partner with the local non-profit Champaign County Humane Society to provide a tasty and enjoyable way for everyone to offer continuing support to their efforts.

Meet LAB, full name LAB Vinho Regional Lisboa 2008 by Casa Santos Lima. This wine, a blend of Castelao, Tinta Roriz, Syrah and Touriga Nacional grapes. Made in a modern, extracted style, with long maceration and 4 months aging in new barriques (Portuguese oak), this wine hasn't lost its Portuguese roots.

Very attractive bright ruby color. Aromas of ripe red fruits combine with concentrated dark cherry and blackcurrant flavors, as well as a fresh and agreeable acidity and some fine oak notes. It ends with firm but smooth tannins and a fruity finish.

Perhaps most importantly, it offers very good value retailing for $10!

About Casa Santos Lima
Casa Santos Lima is situated in Alenquer, approximately 45 kms north of Lisbon near the town of Torres Vedras, in a very traditional wine region and where the typical Portuguese rural landscape appears in all its glory.

Sun Singer Wine and Spirits, Ltd.

Attention Holiday Shoppers!

Sidney with tug toy 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.

We'll be there twice this season; right after Thanksgiving on November 27th--to kick off the holiday shopping season--and again just before Christmas, on December 18th, for those last minute stocking stuffers.

We'll have fleece braided tug toys (with and without tennis balls), both crocheted and fleece catnip toys, and a selection of gently used books for the animal lovers on your list.

CCHS Booth at the Lincoln Square Holiday Village

Saturday November 27 - 8 am to 1 pm

Saturday December 18 - 8 am to 1 pm

Holiday Wishes

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.

Visit the CCHS Holiday Wishes Web Page.

If you prefer to mail your donation, you may send a check along with your holiday message to "CCHS Holiday Wishes" 1911 East Main Street, Urbana, IL 61802.

Pet U Class Schedule

Pet U is back this year with a great schedule of informative classes for pet owners!
Classes are held on the first Monday of each month
from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the UI Veterinary Teaching Hospital

December 13 - The Basics of the Pet Food Label

January 10 - Exercising your Pet

February 7 - Pets, Babies and Toddlers

March 14 - Communicating With Our Best Friend:

Understanding the Body Language of Dogs

April 11 - Dog Parks and Day Care:

Assessing Your Dog and Evaluating Group Dynamics

May 7 - Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Series Information | Series Schedule | Register on-line

Pet U is a collaboration between the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
and the Companion Animal Resource & Education (CARE) Center

Holiday Volunteers!!

Volunteers Needed for *Thanksgiving*(11/20 - 11/28)
and *Winter Break*(12/20-1/16) !!!

Come to the volunteer orientation
or send an e-mail to 2.volunteer@cuhumane.org to find out how you can help!

Pet of the Month: Jango

Pet of the Month Jango has been at CCHS since September. When he arrived, he was extremely obese, weighing in at about 30 pounds! The CCHS staff makes sure that Jango gets daily exercise and he has lost a few pounds already. Jango is very friendly with people and has a great personality. He is curious and out-going.

Jango would prefer to be an only pet, making him perfect for someone with lots of love to give to one special boy.

To see more pets available for adoption, click here

Alum of the Month: Olly

Olly's new mom, Rebecca Motley, provided us with this update on Olly, the newest member of the family:

"Olly is the fourth pet we've adopted from CCHS and we couldn't be happier with what a wonderful member of our family he has become. He came home with us in September after spending over 4 months at the shelter and we weren't quite sure what to expect. After all, our current dog, a 10 lb. mini schnauzer, was definitely queen of the house. Our two cats were pretty sure of their places also. But now, although everyone isn't best friends, we are all harmoniously living together.

Olly is smart, great with kids of all ages, loves other dogs and thinks he is a 60 lb. lap dog. He has happily adopted us as his people. His excitement every time one of the family comes home is so fun. Another great thing is that he represents his "bully dog" breed so beautifully--everywhere we take him, peole are amazed at how polite and handsome he is. We are so grateful to CCHS for taking such good care of him while he waited for us."

Volunteer of the Month: Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee joined the CCHS volunteer program to work with cats in October 2008. Since that time she has also become a foster volunteer and a reliable volunteer for offsite events, including the Memorial Stadium concession stand.

Sharon always has a positive attitude and when she is at the shelter she is always working! The staff enjoy working with Sharon because she keeps an open mind and is willing to give new ideas and programs a try.

Sharon also has a reputation as a truly dedicated volunteer. She is willing to come in and help during high-stress periods when we're short-handed, even if it's not convenient for her schedule.

Thank you, Sharon!

For more information on volunteering, see Becoming a CCHS Volunteer.

Employee of the Month: Kate McGinley

Here's Kate with Jango - Pet of the Month.

Kate McGinley joined the adoption staff in October 2007 and became the team leader in October 2009. Kate earned this month's award due to the many words of praise we've been receiving about Kate from happy adopters and co-workers alike. Always familiar with the animal population at CCHS, Kate has developed a real gift for matching adopters with animals.

Here are some examples of notes we've received about Kate:

"Kate, thank you so much for helping us get Spike. He has been the best dog we could have ever hoped for. I don't think we would have gotten him without your awesome advice."

"Kate is just simply awesome."

"Kate has great advice and really knows the animals."

Kate is equally popular with her coworkers at CCHS. Because Kate makes it her business to know what is going on - both inside and outside the shelter - she helps make sure that our right hand knows what our left hand is doing. Kate helps promote our education and fundraising activities and labors long hours on the CCHS newsletter, "Paw Prints."

Thank you, Kate, for being so awesome!

Help Woof CCHS!

For the past few years, a rainstorm coming through Champaign-Urbana meant pulling out buckets and pans to collect rain water throughout the shelter as it seeped through the ceiling. Our roofer would come whenever we called and patch what he could, but we knew the day would come when we needed a more permanent fix. That day came this summer. It's tough to be open for adoptions with buckets on the front counter and puddles on the floors!

Now we're asking for your help to keep the shelter open and the animals warm, safe, and dry. Please make a pledge or donation to the CCHS Shelter Roof Campaign. Your pledge can be paid in the coming months at your convenience and you can choose a pledge level that fits into your budget. Click here to make a gift for the new roof.

Painting Portraits to Help Pets

Looking for a unique holiday gift idea?

Local artist, Pat Marlow, has generously offered to help CCHS by donating 100% of the money she earns painting portraits for CCHS friends and supporters.

How does it work? You provide Pat with a photograph that she will use to create a portrait of your beloved animal (or human) family member. Pat will provide all the materials necessary for creating your painting and will determine a "price" for her work. If you're satisfied with Pat's final product, you'll make your payment directly to the Champaign County Humane Society. If you're not satisfied, you will be under no obligation to buy the portrait.

If you'd like to talk to Pat about doing a portrait for you, call her at 217-384-1774 or email her at patmikem@yahoo.com.

CCHS has received over $1,000 from satisfied pet owners who took Pat up on this offer.

Thank you Pat, for lending your talents to our cause!

Read our Blogs and Tweets!

Paws and Reflect in the News Gazette(Executive Director)
Kittens is Cats Blog(Foster Family)
Life is Learning Blog(Foster Family)
Pups is Pups Blog(Foster Family)

CCHS on Facebook

CCHS Volunteers on Facebook

CCHS on Twitter

CCHS Volunteers on Twitter

Pups is Pups on Twitter

Special Needs

CCHS seeks the following in-kind donations to help
with some pressing needs.