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Autumn Issue 2009
Tributes
Not the Best of Times; more animals in crisis
The Animals don't have a clue as to how bad the state of our economy is... but the state of the economy that has directly and adversely affected the lives of so many cats and dogs. More and more animals are losing their homes because of the trickle down affect. The most common reasons for animals being relinquished has been: divorce, allergies, infirmity or death of the owner, not enough time, or simply the owner didn't want to be bothered caring for a pet any longer. We are still getting a goodly number of animals being brought in for those reasons, but in addition to those reasons, the economy is adding to the homeless animal situation.
The most heart wrenching part is that these loving, responsible families, are giving up their pet out of love and concern for their pets welfare. Losing their job, losing their home, and in some cases not even having enough money to put food on their table, they are extremely worried how they are going to provide for their pet. Trying to do the best possible thing for their pet, they bring their pet to the shelter in hopes that someone will adopt it and provide for the animal, which they are no longer able to do. We have seen many a family leave in tears as they take one final look as they leave their beloved pet.
With this cloud of uncertainty hanging over everyone's heads it is making some potential adopters rethink if this is a good time to adopt or not. We have been very fortunate that our adoption rate has not fallen off too badly, but we are hearing from other shelters that their adoptions are almost nonexistent. We are doing our very best to keep adoptions up, but the number of incoming animals keeps climbing. The phone keeps ringing with more and more families and pets in dire straights, and with each and every animal we try to help the cost keeps rising too.
The Animals Need Our Help more than ever. These animals are desperate for help... they are looking for hope... their's is a silent plea that no one will ever hear, unless we step in to save them. Can they count on you to help?
Annie had twelve banquet tables loaded to the hilt with lots of treasures and trinkets for the garage sale, and she had lots of great volunteers to help with the sale. A thanks goes out to Jim Arnold, Don Lascoe and John Jordan for their help with putting up and taking down the tables. Annie said we could not have done it without the help of Mary Ann and Amy Lukas, Clare Paskiet, Michele Chalifoux, Sharon Hager, Kathy Przybyla, Connie Bylsma and Donna and Wayne Holous, who helped sell and set up and clean up.
Of course it goes without saying there wouldn't have been a garage sale if it weren't for Annie, and all of her effort. Annie not only collected, and stored the items, she held the sale at her house, and put in lots of time selling. Also a pat on the head is well deserved by Squirt, Annie's little Poodle for dealing with all the commotion that was going on. Annie said this was the best garage sale yet! WooHoo! It was greatly appreciated and the monies made could not have come at a better time with so many more animals coming in.
To sum it up in one word this year's walkathon was FANTASTIC! TLC volunteers were there bright and early to set everything up for the event at beautiful Dell Wood Park. We want to thank Annie Coleman, Michele and Josh Chalifoux, Judy Kunkel, Jerry Przybyla, Donna Holous, Jennifer Nehrig, Kathy Kanak, Mary Ann and Amy Lukas, Denny Carter, and Clare Paskiet, for all the help they gave to make sure the event ran smoothly. Although the weather had called for thunderstorms all day, we lucked out and the rain held off. Even with the threat of storms, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of any of the participants. We had a great turnout of two legged and 4 legged participants anxiously awaiting the kickoff of the event. After completing the 3 mile course, and having everyone smile for the cameras at the photo finish, it was time for refreshments and the silly pet tricks (an event hard to judge but fun to watch, and even more fun to participate in). A big thanks to Steve Peterson for the great job he did emceeing the event. Thanks to Connections Chiropractic and Rehab Clinic in Homer Glen for the wonderful massages!
Once again we wish to thank all our wonderful sponsors including:
All Pets Hospital, Ltd., Andrews Wireless Solutions, Animal Care Clinic of Homer Glen, Animal Clinic of New Lenox, Archer Veterinary Clinic, City Center Rehab West Lasalle Peru, Don's Dental Service, Expression Wear Screen Printing, Grand Prairie Animal Hospital, Happy Tails Pet Sitting, Joseph Solek DDS PC & Riley, K-9 Guardians, Inc., Knafl Insurance Agency, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Lockport Animal Hospital, Merrick Animal Hospital, National Trailer Repair, Inc., Reliable Home Improvements, and Substrate Technology, Inc. We wish to extend a big apology to West Custom Flooring for accidentally omitting the name of their company on the walkathon shirts and also on written material regarding the event.
We want to thank everyone for making the event so much fun and a big success in order to raise money for the animals at TLC.
Shorty's working hard at the
shelter, but he graciously
gave up his front page
coverage so that
Rafflemania would get the
full attention. Shorty knows
that the raffle is one of the
biggest fundraisers of the
year for TLC. The other
reason he has been unable to
write his column is that he
has been so busy taking care of the bumper crop of kittens. He hasn't had a moment to himself. Shorty promises that his column will return in the Christmas issue.
Has anyone ever asked you "a penny for your thoughts"? We have updated the old adage to "a Penny for your search". Yes, TLC can earn a penny every time you search the internet! GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine, with a unique social mission. Every time you use GoodSearch, money is generated for TLC.
GoodSearch donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities selected by its users. The pennies quickly add up. For example since February of 2007, TLC's Webmistress, Sandi O'Brien has raised $115.00 for TLC just by using GoodSearch for all online searches. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter TLC Animal Shelter as the charity you want to support, or use the link on the TLC Website. You can also download a toolbar for Internet Explorer and Firefox, so you will always have GoodSearch at your fingertips. The more people who use this site, the more money we'll earn so please spread the word! Please email all the animal lovers on your buddy list to use GoodSearch to help our furry friends.
The Animal Care Clinic of Homer Glen was turned into a car wash once again for the 10th year in order to raise money for homeless animals at the TLC Animal Shelter. A big round of applause is well earned by the Endebak Family who planned the event, and had so many members of their family who got up to their elbows in suds washing cars to raise money for the shelter. We also want to extend a big thanks to Dr. O'Brien for hosting the event and for topping off the total raised with a $500.00 donation.
Working the event were Jim and Diane Endebak, Jenny and Ed Frayne and their 3 year old son Kenny (who even got to help wash the tires on the fire truck), Cindy Endebak, Kathryn & Ryan Kittler and their son 2 year old Andrew (who found the bubbles to be fabulous to play with), Denny Carter, Kylie, Nikki and Becky Gullett, Vicki Tryjefaczka, and Brian and Amanda Otto. We also want to thank Healthy Connection Chiropractic & Rehab Clinic for giving relaxing massages while folks were having their car washed. Thanks one and all for raising over $1,200.00 to help TLC Animals!
The Bertha Fund
has provided more
extensive medical
care for numerous
animals this year.
This young cat was
one of the fortunate
ones that the
Bertha Fund has
helped. Your
concern and
generosity has helped save many animals lives.
WHEN? Saturday November 14
TIME? 10 am until 4 pm
WHERE? Homer Township Hall on Cedar Road 1/4 block south of Route 7 (159th St.) in Homer Glen
FREE admission
What makes TLC's craft show so unique is that everything is donated, and every cent made goes directly for the care of the animals at TLC.
NOTE! This will be our only mailing prior to our annual Holiday Craft Show & Bake Sale. Circle this date so you don't miss out on this annual event!
Be sure to tell your family and friends it's a fun time and there is something for everyone, not to mention the baked goods are scrumptious!
To make the sale a success we are seeking donations of hand made items and baked goods. You may bring items to the Homer Township Hall the day prior to the sale between 11:00am and 1:00pm, or you may bring them directly to the Homer Township Hall the day of the sale at 9:30am. We ask that items donated be pre-priced, and that bakery be marked as to what it is.