Special Issue
April 2014

Volunteers! Don't forget to log your hours!

This is part of Volunteer Iowa: A Call to Service.

Come help us at Park Clean Up day on April 26!

Changes All Round

As the snow has finally melted and the temperatures have started to rise, we can all feel the changes around us. With a potential new park under discussion, and with new activities and lots of old opportunities, 2014 might be the year not of the horse but of the dog.

All these activities weigh on the people who donate their time to plan them. As much as I love the off-leash dog parks and time with K9COLA, I have decided not to seek another term as Chairman of the Board of Directors when my term expires in November. Unfortunately, we have had other officers and members step down in recent years, and we haven't added enough smiling faces to our group to replace them.

I encourage everyone reading this to try and make one board meeting in the next year. We meet the first Wednesday of the month at 6 pm at the Downtown Public library (check the room assignments when you get there). When you are there, learn about our committees (Social Media, Fundraising, Site, Volunteer, and K9Splash!) and

find out how you donate as little as two hours a month to help the parks you love become even better! If you can't make the meeting but are interested in learning more, please feel free to visit our website or contact me.

Marie Appel

K9COLA Chairman

A Third Dog Park?

Through our Facebook page many of our readers were able to learn about a late breaking story. Interest in a third off-leash dog park on Cedar Rapid's Northwest side (particularly in the Timecheck neighborhood) has grown. On March 26 the City of Cedar Rapids kicked off its Envision Cedar Rapids campaign. Close to 200 people attended the event and gave suggestions on what Cedar Rapids needed to do to improve itself as a City. Many people mentioned the need for an off-leash area in the new green space on the Northwest side. Thank you to everyone who came out!

Trash Talk

Help Keep Our Parks Clean

The weather will be warmer now, so you have a great reason to get out to the parks with your dog! We

need help at K9 Acres April 5, 19 and 26, and at Cheyenne April 19. Email Jill.

Also, write if you are available for mid-week trash pickup anytime this month. Jill would like to keep a few people on standby in case the weather gets really warm and trash cans fill up.

Mega Pet Adoption Event

Iowa Humane Alliance and North Shore Animal League's Tour For Life join forces to bring you the Mega Pet Adoption Event on April 19, from 12 pm until 6 pm, at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids.

K9COLA is participating in this event and will have a booth from noon to 6:00 pm with items for sale. Will you make dog treats? See the next article for a suggestion. Any other homemade items are welcome too. Contact Kelly (319-241-4652) or Ken (319-241-4383). Remember, you can use the hours you make treats as their volunteer hours for the free pass drawing.

Tour For Life is the world's largest cooperative mobile pet adoption initiative and is aimed at reinforcing the importance of shelter pet adoptions. Read More

Treats for Mega Adoption Event

Start baking and crafting for the upcoming Mega Adoption Event! All treats should have the ingredients listed on their packages, and should include an "expiration" date (usually this is one week after making or thawing--so if you are baking now remember to freeze them!

Here's a good recipe--or try your own! Please contact Marie with questions.

Peanut butter biscuits

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. oatmeal

1 T. baking powder

1 1/2 c. peanut butter

3/4 c. milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine flour and baking powder, then set aside. Blend peanut butter and milk together. Add to dry ingredients. Mix well. Roll dough out and cut like Christmas cookies (1/4 thick at least). Bake on cookie sheet for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Refrigerate or freeze.

Coursing Ability Test (CAT)

On Saturday May 31, 2014 ,Cheyenne Park Off-Leash Area will be closed to the general public so that the Coursing Hounds of Iowa in partnership with K9COLA may bring a Coursing Ability Test (CAT) test to Eastern Iowa.

CAT is an introductory event fashioned after sport lure coursing. It provides a fun and healthy activity attractive to many dog owners. CAT is a non-competitive pass / fail event where dogs run singularly. It is open to all dogs at least 12 months of age that are individually registered with the AKC, recorded in the FSS program, dogs with PAL numbers or dogs enrolled in the AKC Canine Partners Program (mixed breeds). Females in season may not enter.

Recall Tests

Here's Where You Go To Be Safe & Save $$$

2014 Recall Testing:

Saturday, April 19, 12:30 p.m. at K9 Acres
Saturday, May 17, 12:30 p.m. at Cheyenne
Saturday, June 14, 10:00 a.m. at K9 Acres
Sunday, September 7, 2:00 p.m. at Cheyenne

One more possible date at K9 Acres TBD.

We are done when all testing for that day is complete, so please be there at the start time.

Please let us know if you plan to attend on one of these dates. That way, if we have a last minute w.eather-related cancellation, we can contact you. Still have questions about the test or how it works? Email info@k9cola.org.

So what is recall testing, exactly?

Be sure to stop by Animal Control to get your park permit if you have not done so already.

Pawsome Paws Fun Walk

Have Some More Fun!

It's time to lace up those sneakers, grab a leash and your canine companion and walk for a cause! Last Hope Animal Rescue is gearing up for its Pawsome Paw Fun Walk on April 26th, by calling on all animal lovers to walk and help raise funds to support provision of medical care and finding homes for homeless pets in our community. Read More

Changes for the 2014 Downtown Farmers Markets

This year the K9COLA booth at the Downtown Farmers Markets this summer will occupy

Due to the popularity of the Market, the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance staff was unable to continue to grandfather us in as a full time vendor. But we were fortunate to receive more spots than most nonprofits.

What does that mean for everyone? We will need lots of treats and homemade items on those days. We will also need volunteers from 6 am until 1 pm to help staff our table. If you can help staff the table or make something, please let us know by emailing Jill at volunteer@k9cola.org . We look forward to seeing you this summer!

K9COLA to Participate in Freedom Fest

Let Freedom Ring

Late breaking news! K9COLA has been accepted to be part of the 2014 Cedar Rapids Freedom Fest. We are planning a treat hunt at K9 Acres on June 28 at 1 pm called "Finding Freedom". We plan to invite other local groups and businesses to join us, and perhaps will also be able to plan other events. Watch the newsletter, website, and Facebook for more details

Contact

K9COLA
P.O. Box 992
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-0992
email: info@k9cola.org

website: http://k9ola.org

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