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Shelter News from Shorty the Cat's Point of View
We're Going for the Gold!
Hi!
"Shorty, sounds like you're talking about the Olympics, instead of the Shelter's Walkathon, but who knows someday it might get that big!"Ahhhhhhhh I just love wishful thinking, but I must admit this was the best walkathon ever! The weather had been rainy for nearly two weeks, and we thought we might have to scrap the walkathon or turn it into a boating event, but we were very fortunate, the day was gorgeous, the paths were clear, we had a wonderful crowd, and WCCQ was there with music to entertain us. As the participants finished the three mile walk, photo finish pictures were taken (the pictures and a short clip of the walkathon may be seen on our website tlcanimalshelter.org).
After a short break to enjoy some refreshments, everyone began lining up to compete in various events that followed. There were more entrants than ever this year, all vying for those coveted blue ribbons. Sandi O'Brien who would be judging the events, certainly had her work cut out for her. Sandi took her job very seriously, even resorting to using her trusty ruler to measure to the nth degree when it came to picking the winner for having the shortest hair and again for the shortest tail, and longest tongue. The competition was very tough!I was glad to see more cats competing this year. Of course my fellow felines were much too dignified to enter some of the events, but they did make a good showing for themselves. Purrrrrsonally, I think they should have entered the competition for the "most dignified", they would have won it paws down. As it was, one dog was eliminated because he was sniffing another dog... ahem I think you get the picture. When Sandi saw that she said that contestant had to be eliminated on the grounds of unbefitting behavior for that event, and I fully agreed. Leave it to a dog to do something like that in front of a crowd! Once again it only proves, "Cats rule dogs drool".
When it was time for the noisiest dog event, I hurredly put in my ear plugs as I watched and waited and waited and waited... silence! Not a peep! Could it be all the dog entrants suddenly came down with stage fright, or had they tired themselves out when they were barking during the walk? Then one bark was heard and the crowd cheered, as Orion was awarded the blue ribbon.To sum it up everyone had a great time, and thanks to everyone who attended, and to all those that helped out.
Well now that I am finished telling you about the walkathon, time to get my metal detector out and go for the gold.
"Shorty, what are you doing with that thing?"
Going out back in search of gold, silver, lost jewelry what have you!
"Sorry Shorty, you aren't going to find anything like that out back, because all that was there before the shelter was built was a bean field. Anyway what got you started with that metal detector?"
Katherine Ashe got me going on this, she had a great idea. She said to ask all our friends to check their jewelry boxes for broken gold chains, or jewelry they no longer want, that is sitting in the bottom of a drawer not doing anybody any good. Katherine said we could sell that jewelry to make money for the shelter.
"Shorty, I think Katherine's idea is terrific! Just think, a tarnished piece of jewelry could bring a bright tomorrow for some homeless animal."
I wouldn't have said it quite as schmaltzy as that but you've got the picture, just another way to help raise money for the animals. Well I've got to go. I have to see if that metal detector works.
"Shorty I just told you there isn't anything out back, so don't waste your time."
Who said anything about going outside, instead I'm going to try it out inside to see if it can detect where the cans of cat food are.
"Shorty, only you could think of that."
Love,
Shorty
PS.
We are also looking for people who might be interested in holding a bake sale for TLC, to help raise money for the Bertha Fund. If you are interested in holding one please contact my people friends, but if you want someone to sample your baked goods contact me.
"SHORTY!!"
Uhoh gotta run! (Also thanks to Jake's House of Kibble for all the samples they handed out.)
Are We All Moving?
"We're moving" is one of the most common excuses we hear when owners leave their pets at the shelter. You can just imagine how hard it is on an animal to be left behind. A pet may live 10 to 15 years, and nowadays most people don't live in a place that long. Moving with pets can be a problem, but the time to consider these problems is before you adopt a pet.
If you are a renter, it can be very difficult to find a landlord who will allow pets. If you own a pet, you'll have to restrict your choice of apartments to those where pets are allowed and an extra damage deposit may be required. A pet that is neutered, tagged, and well behaved may get a negative landlord in a positive mood, but if you aren't careful to see that your dog isn't annoying the neighbor with constant barking or your cat is shredding the drapes, you may just find yourself looking for a new home sooner than you had planned.
The same thing holds true for condo owners. Just because you own a condo does not give you the right to let your pet do as it pleases. Before buying a condo, check the association rules. Some condo associations do not allow pets, and others that may allow them, might have a restriction on the size when it comes to dogs, or even certain breeds. Also remember the common areas are not doggie bathrooms, if you have a pet it is common courtesy to clean up after it, and keep it under control .... if not you may be going before the condo board where they may deem that your pet is a nuisance and you will be fined or be made to give up a pet.
Moving with a pet can be expensive. If you do not have a place lined up, you will have to board your pet in a kennel while you look around for a place to live. If you move a long distance, it may not be practical to take a pet in the car, and air freight charges, the cost of a sturdy pet carrier and the expense of a visit to the veterinarian for a health certificate all add up.
If you can't deal with the difficulties or expense of moving with a pet, don't adopt one in the first place. Save yourself the guilt and heartbreak of leaving part of your family behind, and save a dog or cat the sadness of losing their happy home.
Rafflemania Winners
1st Prize: 3 day Great Wolf Lodge - stay in the family suite with 2 queen beds, a sofa sleeper, and semi private living area, up to 6 person occupancy. Includes 4 complementary passes to the Great Wolf Waterpark and 4 passes to Wiley's Woods, donor wishes to remain anonymous.
Won by Carol Mourre of Randhurst
2nd Prize: Beautiful ladies 10 kt filigree ring with a 16x12 lilac amethyst appraised at $500 donated by Darlene Novak, Lowell Michigan
Won by Elizabeth Herman of Lockport
3rd Prize: Gorgeous stained glass window hanging donated by Sheri Law Art Glass, Ltd. Homer Glen
Won by Susan Sheehan of Brookfield
4th Prize: Golfers Delight Package - 2 certificates for a two-some plus cart use for Prairie Bluff Golf Course, Lockport Township; a gift certificate for a foursome including cart rental at Woodbine Golf Course, Homer Glen and a certificate for two Greens fees at Broken Arrow Golf Club, Homer Glen, all donated by the above mentioned golf clubs
Won by Linda Ingenoso of Palos Heights
5th Prize: 7 inch widescreen monitor portable DVD player, watch movies anytime anywhere donated by Sandi & Parnell O'Brien of Homer Glen
Won by Josephine Setlik of orland Park
6th Prize: Beautiful designer gold leopard pin with diamond collar donated by Katherine Ashe of Orland Park
Won by Bridget Ozolins of Chicago
7th Prize: Viper Remote Start for your vehicle donated by Sound Decision, Montgomery
Won by S. Pendola of Lockport
8th Prize: 4 Chicago White Sox Lower deck reserve seats donated by the Chicago White Sox
Won by Michelle Boblak of Lockport
9th Prize: Tastefully Simple Basket filled with goodies donated by Liz Miller, Lockport
Won by Jean Psenicka of La Grange
10th Prize: Stunning Ladies bracelet donated by Teresa Janeczko, Orland Hills
Won by Michael Mersch of Downers Grove
11th Prize: Dining Delight Package - $30 in certificates for Rossana's Pizza, Lockport; $25 gift certificate for The Landing Restaurant, Lockport; $25 gift certificate to Maria's Family Dining, Tinley Park; $20 gift certificate to Nancy's Pizzeria, Lockport; $15 gift certificate for Salerno's Restaurant, Crest Hill, Lockport; $10 gift certificate to Marichka's Restaurant, Crest Hill (all donated by each respective restaurant listed)
Won by Dorothy Gass of Hickory Hills
12th Prize: Coffee Basket consisting of a Cuisinart two to go Coffeemaker and specialty coffees by Sandi O'Brien, Homer Glen
Won by Tracy
13th Prize: $100 Best Buy gift certificate donated by Elmira Binkowski of Chicago
Won by Jim Roll of Stickney
14th Prize: $100 Carson's gift certificate donated by Noreece Nemecek, Chicago
Won by Barbara Elkin of Tinley Park
15th Prize: Coby Super Slim DVD Player donated by William and Janice Kiss, Lockport
Won by Irene Schranz of Mokena
16th Prize: $60 Target gift certificate donated by Beverly and Donald Ermler of Homer Glen
Won by Judith Kloog of Chicago
17th Prize: $50 Tastefully Simple gift certificate donated by Michelle Boblak, Lockport
Won by Pat Smith of Orland Park
The 5 people selling the most raffle tickets:
1st Prize: $100 donated by Dr. James A. Gianfrancisco MD. Ltd., Justice Illinois
Won by Betsy and Elizabeth Herman of Lockport who worked as a team selling $520.00 in chances! The sisters' driving force... to contribute the $100 to the Bertha Fund! Thank You
2nd Prize: Memorex Progressive Scan Ultra Slim DVD Player donated by Sandi & Parnell O'Brien, Homer Glen
Won by Keith Miller of Warrenville selling $502.00
3rd Prize: 4 Club box seat tickets to a Jackhammers baseball game donated by O'Neil Funeral Home, Lockport
Won by Jim Fennesey of Chicago selling $350.00
4th prize: To Pamper You - $56 worth of John Amico Hair Supplies donated by Hair Downtown, Lockport and 2 Emilia Manicures valued at $18 each donated by the Victorian Parlor, Lockport
Won by Barb Neitzke of Homer Glen selling $340.00
5th Prize: $50 Mary Kay Gift Bag donated by Deborah Heart, Homer Glen
Won by Kat Tempinski of Homer Glen selling $295.00
We really wish everyone could have won a prize but I think the real winners are all the homeless animals that are getting a second chance to have a great life! Thank you!
Even in a Downpour, the Garage Sale went on!
Sharon and Richard Hager had once again generously donated the use of their garage for TLC's annual garage sale. The garage was stacked to the brim and Annie Coleman, Donna Holous, and Sharon had planned on setting up tables in the driveway with the abundance of items they had accumulated for the sale. But as Murphy's Law would have it, the morning skies greeted them with a downpour! The garage was so loaded with items, there was nary a spot for anyone to stand, it looked as if the garage sale was going to be a disaster, but so many people knew it was for the Shelter endured the stormy weather and came to shop. We want to thank everyone who braved the storm and came out anyway to the sale in order to help the animals. We also want to thank all those who donated things for the sale, we really appreciate it! A special thanks goes to Annie, Sharon and Donna for all their hard work as it took days to get this all together. And last but not least we want to thank Richard and Sharon Hager giving up the use of their garage so that the sale could be held there. It's hard to believe that even in that downpour, $1056.32 was raised! Now that is truly amazing, a big thanks goes out to everyone for making this sale such a whopping success.
And a Big Round of Applause for... the Cleanup Crew
There aren't any accolades given for cleaning up poop, but perhaps there should be, at least for shelter workers. We know all of you who have a pet, have cleaned either litter pans, picked up doggie poop, or cleaned bird or rodent cages etc.. But now imagine multiplying that task many times over, including washing the cage or kennel thoroughly each and every time a mess is made! Maintaining the cleanliness of the Shelter keeps the Shelter Staff busy at least 25% of the day, and it shows. When people come in to view the animals at TLC, we have people remark all the time about how clean the shelter is, and rarely is there any odor unless an animal just had to heed the call of nature, and even then that is cleaned up thoroughly and quickly. A clean building makes wanting to adopt an animal a much more pleasurable experience, if folks don't have to walk around holding their noses or stepping out for a quick breath of fresh air... Which means, the more time spent with the animals, the greater the chances of one of the animals getting adopted.
The other thing that you may not be aware of, is that all humane societies (and pet shops) must be licensed to operate by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (our license is displayed prominently in the cat room). This also means that the Shelter is checked periodically throughout the year, to make sure that it is clean and up to standard. It is also checked to make sure the animals for adoption are healthy, and if there are any sick animals, that they are kept isolated from those that are well. The Illinois Department of Agriculture also has the power to close the doors of a business or organization dealing with animals if they are sighted for slovenliness and other violations. These inspections are made without prior notice, so there isn't any opportunity for a "quick cleanup" in order to try to hide any violations there might be. In TLC's 30 years in operation, we have never received a bad review, we have always gotten glowing remarks, which we might add, we are very proud of. Our tough standards for cleanliness shows.
More importantly, keeping the Shelter clean goes much further than pleasing the public, or passing the Illinois Department of Agriculture's inspection, our number one concern is the health and welfare of the animals that is as stake here. Day in and day out cleaning up the mess after animals can become a very mundane chore, and yes, can be a burnout for so many people. But we have an amazing Shelter Staff, who are committed to giving the animals the best care possible, and they realize how important this part of their job is. Keeping the Shelter clean, helps tremendously in keeping the animals healthy. It is also true that keeping the animals clean, helps in maintaining an animal's good housebreaking habits. For the most part, it is a thankless job, no accolades, or blue ribbons, but we think they all deserve a big round of applause for a job well done.
Photos of The Crew: Dennis Carter Jr. (with broom), Vicki Tryjefaczka (holding Shorty the cat), and Dan Zack (cleaning a cage)