T.L.C. Paw Prints Spring Issue 2000
In Memoriam
Wish List
Rafflemania
T.L.C.'s biggest fundraiser of the year, and you have two ways to win!
Look at these great prizes!
1st prize: Gorgeous $1000.00 stained glass window donated by Sherick Inc. of Lockport
2nd prize: 36" color TV (donor wishes to remain anonymous)
3rd prize: We combined these two generous contributions to make a super prize package that goes hand in hand - (1) A DVD player donated by Dr. James Gianfrancisco of Orland Park and (2) 5 DVD disks donated by Brian and Barb Chwierut of Palos Park
4th prize: Overnight stay at the Empress Hotel along with a $100.00 dinner for two certificate at Alexandria Steakhouse
5th prize: A Singer serger donated by Dorthea Majerczyk of Berwyn
6th prize: Another great combination prize -Herald News gift basket consisting of (1) 26 weeks of the Herald News donated by the Herald News in Joliet and (2) you can have coffee with your morning paper! A 10 cup Krups coffeemaker donated by Mae Sala of Lemont
7th prize: Lucille Ball porcelain collectors doll donated by Donna Ross of Lockport
8th prize: $100.00 gift certificate to Best Buy donated by International Importers of Chicago
9th prize: Certificate for a dog or cat spay or neuter donated by All Pets Hospital in Lockport
10th prize: $100.00 in dining pleasure (two $50.00 gift certificates to Tall Grass Restaurant in Lockport)
11th prize: 4 golf passes to the City of Palos Hills Golf Club donated by Janice Augle of Oak Lawn
12th prize: $60.00 gift certificate for the Amish Furniture gallery donated by the Ermler family of Lockport
13th prize: $50.00 Best Buy gift certificate donated by Yvonne Harris of Florida
14th prize: $50.00 gift certificate to Adam's Pub donated by Adam's Pub in Lockport
Here's your second chance to win:
The 6 people selling the most chances will each receive a pair of tickets to any AMC movie theater and one of the following prizes depending on how many chances you sell:
1st prize: $100.00 CASH!! Donor wishes to remain anonymous
2nd prize: $50.00 gift certificate to Fuji Japanese Steak House donated by the Endebak Family of Lockport
3rd prize: Berkley rod and Zebco reel (donor wishes to remain anonymous)
4th prize: Oil and filter change and chasis lube donated by W.T. Hayes & Sons Auto & Truck Repair, Lemont $35.00
5th prize: Grooming certificate for a dog or cat donated by Jennifer Frayne of Joliet
6th prize: Harrah's Casino in Joliet donated a $25.00 gift certificate at the fresh Market Square Buffet
Need more chances? Either pick them up at the shelter between 11 am and 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday, or call us at 708-301-1594 and we will be happy to send them out to you.
Drawing 4 pm Saturday June 17th at the shelter
Complaint Filed Against T.L.C. with the Illinois Department of Human Rights
When adopting a pet from T.L.C. or any other humane society, there is a criteria the potential adopter is required to meet. These rules are not meant to discriminate against anyone, but they are there to help insure that these animals get placed into loving, caring, responsible homes. We do not want any of these animals back out on the street or bounced around from one person to the next, because the owner could not, or would not, care for it. I think you would have to agree, that if the needs of the animal cannot be met, then the adoption should be denied.
One party became quite upset with us, feeling that he had been wrongly discriminated against when we refused adopting an eight week old puppy to him. We had spoken to him at length, only to learn that he worked all day, and there would not be anyone home to provide care for the puppy, leaving the puppy unattended for nine or ten hours a day. That in itself was bad enough, but when we inquired how he planned on housebreaking a puppy, he stated that would not be a problem, he was going to keep the puppy outside twenty four hours a day. He said he did not want a house dog. as far as we were concerned, this was definitely not the type of home this puppy or any puppy needed.
(We would also like to note that this party was inebriated and became very belligerent.)
The party was not about to let this drop, and filed a complaint against T.L.C. with the State of Illinois Department of Human Rights. We received a certified letter from the department stating that the complainant has filed a charge alleging that T.L.C. had violated provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act, Illinois Compiled Statutes 775 ILCS 5/1101 et seq. We are hoping there will be no further legal action on this matter, but only time will tell. If we had to defend our decision in a court of law it would take valuable time and money, and worse yet, if we were to lose the case, it would set a terrible precedent not only for T.L.C., but for every humane society across the country, and for every animal in their care.
What about the rights of animals? They cannot speak for themselves or put a stop to the abuse. They rely on people like you and me to protect them. If the complainant wishes to pursue this, we are ready to fight, for this is an issue we must win, not only for T.L.C., but for every humane society across the nation. There are millions of lives at stake and those lives cannot be put in jeopardy. If we could not protect these animals from being mistreated, if we could not safeguard them against abuse, this would be a tragic defeat for the animals.
We are not about to change our adoption policies one iota. The animals depend on us, and we will continue to protect them no matter what.
A Letter We Can all Relate To
This letter was sent to us by Carol Vance. The Vance family recently lost a much beloved pet. We are sorry that space doesn't permit us to do a special tribute for everyone but, we felt that this letter envelops how many of us feel about our pets, and Mrs. Vance so aptly put into words. although this is a tribute to Sambo, I think it is befitting for all beloved pets and that is why we wanted to share it with you.
"Recently our beloved little dog died leaving an empty place in our hearts that will never be filled. Her name was Sambo Jeanette Vance and we miss her more than words could ever express.
She was an unusually beautiful little one and when people inquired as to her breed we laughingly referred to her as 'Roadie' because she was found at the 'side of the road'. So small she fit into the palm of my hand and sometimes slept in the toe of my shoe. She grew like the proverbial weed into a fifteen pound bundle of black and white fur.
She was our comfort when there were deaths and our joy when there were births. She celebrated graduations, birthdays and all of the events in the family. She was always, always, there, we could count on her. For more than fifteen years she was an integral part of our family. That one small dog could bring so much love, joy, and hairiness to so many people is a testament to the gentle, intelligent, loving little being that she was.
Sam was an anchor for the family; never angry, never judgemental. She listened to our tales of woe with interest and never failed in her devotion. She would watch us with big brown eyes when we were preparing to leave the house and knew just how to make us guilty.
We could always count on her exuberance to welcome us home. she loved to play ball and had far more energy than any of us could hope for. Parting with Sam was horrendous because we loved her; Oh God how we loved her..."
Kids Corner
Children are never too young to be taught to respect and care for other living creatures. Mrs. Stukel's second grade class at Walsh School came up with this "Top Ten" rules on taking care of animals:
1. Do not hit animals!
2. Take unwanted animals to a shelter.
3. Adopt an animal if you can and give it a good home.
4. Keep your pet healthy and take them to the vet for shots.
5. Be kind to all living things big and small.
6. Take good care of animals.
7. Don't hurt animals in any way or call them names.
9. Give your pets food and water.
10. Give animals lots of love and attention.
These kids are certainly on the right track!
Website News
If you're interested in adopting a pet, just gather round the computer on Friday evening and take a peek at the weekly update Sandi O'Brien does for the shelter.
We didn't realize, until recently, just how popular the T.L.C. website has become - it really has quite a following, including its own "T.L.C. groupies"! Although some of the folks who are faithful site followers cannot have a pet right now, they still enjoy checking out the website on a regular basis. They watch with great interest, week after week, to see who is new, who is still looking for a home, and who has been adopted. They actually cheer when their favorite "web-pet" gets a home.
Whether you are looking to adopt a pet or just want to join the ranks and become a T.L.C. groupie, just log on to www.tlcanimalshelter.org. Who knows, you might find the love of your life, others have! You can also find alot of useful and interesting information there, including back issues of Shorty's Shelter News and T.L.C. Paw Prints. While you are there check out the T.L.C. store: you can purchase books, cds, tapes, flowers ect. there and a portion of every sale will go to help animals at the shelter.
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