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Alleviate the financial stress associated
with your pet’s unexpected medical expenses and generate funds for our
shelter at the same time! Simply apply for a ShelterCare Pet Insurance
Program by using the ShelterCare banner-link.
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February 2011 Newsletter from Helping Paws
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PAW PRINTS E-NEWSLETTER ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 2011
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You may notice our new newsletter format, fresh for 2011! We want to thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at the shelter and this years events!
Sincerely,
Helping Paws Animal Welfare Association
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Tail Wags to our Generous Donors and Volunteers
We are so grateful to all those who kept our little orphans in their hearts this past holiday season and indeed, throughout the year. It is because of you that we can take care of these helpless animals until they find their forever homes. Our most sincere thank you to each and every one of you.
Gift Wrapping for the Animals Last month, Helping Paws volunteers wrapped gifts for patrons at Borders in Crystal Lake and McHenry in exchange for donations to Helping Paws. The successful event netted $400.00 and we plan to repeat it in 2011. If you have ribbons, bows and wrapping paper you can donate, please drop them off at the shelter any time during the year.
From the Hearts of Children Students at the Briargate Elementary School in Cary issued a challenge to classmates to donate their spare change and see how much they could raise for a good cause. After just a week's time, the kids had amassed $962 and voted to donate the money to the animals at Helping Paws.
Local Businesses Support the Cause Invisible FenceŽ and Hoof to Woof Pet Servicesboth local businesses, set up donation boxes at their locations and collected several boxes filled with dog and cat food, toys, new blankets, treats, and even much-needed medical and wish-list supplies.
Panting for Paws 5K Run/Walk The fourth annual Panting for Paws 5K Run/Walk was held Sunday, November 14th at Lippold Park in Crystal Lake with 292 participants from ages seven to 74. Under the supervision of Race Director Amy Edwards and her dedicated volunteers, the event raised over $6,000 to support the work of Helping Paws. Plans for the 2011 event are under way and will be posted on www.helpingpaws.net and www.pantingforpaws.com.
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Helping Paws to Participate in the
Human Race
By Steve Arnold, Helping Paws Volunteer
Helping Paws has registered as a participant in the upcoming McHenry County Human Race, a collaborative fundraising 5K run and walk to be held at 9 AM on Saturday, April 16th, at the McHenry Corporate Park on Prime Parkway. This event is held in conjunction with National Volunteer Week and hosted by the Volunteer Center of McHenry County. Similar events have been held in numerous locations nationwide for the past 22 years to benefit local charitable organizations. The McHenry County event will be the first in Illinois. We invite all runners and walkers to register for this event. Participants can solicit donations and pledges from their friends and co-workers to support Helping Paws. Additional money will be awarded to the group and individual raising the most money. Additional information is available at
http://www.helpingpaws.net/2010_humanrace.htm |
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Marco and Polo Find Their Forever Home
By Debbie Rose, Helping Paws Volunteer
Occasionally it may take a while, but eventually the right animals meet the right people. Marco and Polo lived at our shelter for nearly nine months, watching their friends find loving new homes while they stayed behind. Why? Because these two very shy brothers didn't make a good first impression. One day, the Etten family stopped by the shelter looking for a new pet to fill the void left by the passing of their elderly family dog, Brier Rose, and cat, Freckles. The Ettens took the time to see beyond the obvious and decided to take a chance on these two brothers. Here is what they have to say:
Dear Helping Paws,
Many thanks for your patience and cooperation in our recent adoption of two dogs. We just wanted to send you a quick message update to let you know things are going well with the brothers (Marco & Polo). They are both continuing to learn, play, and develop more each day. Although we have a ways to go, the two of them have quickly become part of our family and most definitely act like puppy brothers. Working with you to adopt our new family members was truly a positive experience. We are happy we were able to keep these two together for a long and playful life.
Regards, the Etten Family.
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Needed - One Loving Heart
By Debbie Rose, Helping Paws Volunteer
To say Marshall has had a tough life would be an understatement. He began life as a stray, wandering the streets just trying to survive. His ears are crumpled over due to injuries he has suffered, as well as frost bite from living outside. He was taken in about five years ago by a family who kept him as long as they could but eventually had to give him up because he was getting into fights with their other cats.
Marshall has not had a lot of love in his life. Now ten years old, this friendly boy with a very unusual meow desperately needs a loving family with no other pets. Since he has been with us, we have let him out of his cage in our meet-and-greet room where he likes to explore and then curl up on a chair to nap.
We have recently begun bringing him into our shelter office for exercise and socialization. Visitors and staff alike always stop and give him a loving pat on the head, which he adores. Like most cats, Marshall likes attention but he politely lets you know when he has had enough. This wonderful boy would be a great companion, sleeping on the couch with you when you are reading, relaxing or watching TV.
All of us at Helping Paws have grown attached to Marshall and want to find him a home where he will be loved for the rest of his life. As a senior himself, he would be eligible to an approved senior for no adoption fee through our Senior-to-Senior program. If you have room in your heart for a pet who just wants someone to love, please stop by the shelter and meet this charming boy.
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February is National Prevent a Litter Month!
February is National Prevent a Litter Month. Helping Paws does our part by spaying or neutering every dog or cat that comes through our door. If you would like to support this cause, please consider donating items from our wish list to help us defray operating costs or simply send a check to Helping Paws. As always, we greatly appreciate your support.
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We need
VOLUNTEERS
for our
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
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We are looking for people who are interested in helping us with Fundraising Efforts, Marketing and Advertising, and much more.
If you are interested, please come to an informational meeting on Sunday, February 27th at 1:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. at the shelter.
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Upcoming Events
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1st Tuesday of each Month - Fundraising Meeting - 7p.m.
2nd Thursday of each Month-
Board Meeting - 7p.m.
Feb 12 - Adoption Event 11a.m.-3p.m. McHenry Petsmart
3370 Shoppers Dr., McHenry, IL
Apr 28 - Camp Bow Wow's Spay-ghetti and No Balls Dinner
Dinner will Include a Silent Auction
Tax deductible Auction items are being collected at:
Helping Paws Animal Shelter
2500 Harding Lane Woodstock, Il. Open Daily 12:00 to 4:00
Phone: (815)338-4400
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Pet Tips - Walking in a Winter Wonderland
| | Winter can be tough on our furry friends but no matter the weather, most dogs still love their walks. To keep them safe this winter, the ASPCA recommends investing in a well-fitting coat for short-haired and smaller breeds that covers both their backs and bellies. The organization also recommends Musher's Secret, a waxy substance you can apply to your dog's paws to protect them from snow, salt, and chemical de-icers which can cause sore toes and paw pads. |
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The Best Day of My Life | |
By Yoda,
Former Helping Paws Cat
As told to Steve Arnold,
Helping Paws Volunteer
Hi everyone- I'm Yoda. I'm a 6-month old Domestic Long Hair kitten. I was a stray when someone found me and brought me to Helping Paws. They named me Yoda because my ears have tufts of fur sticking out. I know, Yoda's green and cats aren't, but you get the point. The people at the shelter took really good care of me. They checked me over to be sure I wasn't sick or had anything else wrong with me. Then they made sure that I got my shots and was neutered. I also got this thing called a microchip. It goes just under my skin so that if I get lost, people can find out who I belong to. I was in the kitten room at Helping Paws for a few weeks and, while several people came in to see me and my friends, no one was interested in adopting me. But, there was this one volunteer who comes in to clean the cages in the kitten room. He seemed to like me, so I let him hold me and I purred a lot so he would know that I liked him too. Then one day he brought his wife to see me. When she held me, I made sure to nuzzle up against her and purr for her too. They seemed like really nice people and I knew they would give me a good home. I guess I made the right impression, because they decided to adopt me. So here I am in my new home. I showed them right away that I know how to use a litter box and their dog, Jake, is gradually getting used to me. They had a cat before, but it's been a year, so he's readjusting to not being the only pet in the house. The people at Helping Paws take great care of us, but we really need forever homes. If you're thinking about adopting a pet, please go and see my friends. I know you'll find the one who is right for you. |
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View our archived Newsletters |
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Helping Paws is
funded solely through donations. Please help us save the stray dogs and
cats that come to us for help. A gift of any amount will help in the
lives of these wonderful animals.
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