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MAY
Bake Sale - May 17th - 8 AM to Noon
AWF will be holding spring and summer bake sales again this year. The first one is scheduled for Saturday May 17th, from 8:00 AM until Noon at the Anamosa Walmart. Half the proceeds will go towards AWF's Shelter Fund to build a safe place for the homeless animals of Jones County and the other half towards veterinary care for the current Jones County homeless animals. If you'd like to provide baked goods for the sale, please contact Candy at (319) 462-3865 or robergcandy@wmconnect.com. So come on out and show your support of the homes animals of Jones County! Also, don't forget to check back periodically as bake sales are scheduled for June and July as well.
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AWF Cookbook Advertising
AWF has a GREAT fundraiser coming up...The AWF Cookbook. Before we can go to print, we need to raise $1,600 for printing. We have decided the best way to do this is through advertising sales. This is the same way we offset printing prices for our wonderful annual AWF calendar, our brochure printing costs, etc. The ads do not have to be business ads, they can be as simple as putting in a picture of your faithful pet! There are three different sizes of ads available, a full page at $100, a half page at $50, and a third of a page at $33.33. Please note the ads will be in black and white. The deadline for submitting an ad is Friday, May 23. If you're interested in placing an ad, please contact us via email at wesavepets@netins.net so we can send you the ad rate sheet and samples of the ad sizes. Two of our faithful volunteers have worked very hard gathering up the best recipes from AWF volunteers and their family, friends, and co-workers. It would be shame if we weren’t able to send this wonderful cookbook to the print shop. Please consider placing an ad today!!
Garage Sale/Bake Sale Raises Big Bucks!
AWF held its annual garage sale on Saturday, April 12 and thanks to many people, we raised almost $1800! This year, we also held a bake sale at the same time, which helped bring in a little bit over $150, which is part of the total for the day. A special thank you to Candy Roberg for coordinating the bake sale so Denise could focus on the coordination of the garage sale! So with that said, thanks to Denise Koppenhaver for coordinating the garage sale, this is always a big task to take on. In addition, we want to recognize those who helped set up, tear down, and/or worked the sale:
Tim & Roxie Adams-Shada, Vernice Shada, Paul Moeller, Jane Hilton, Meghan & Jill Eganhouse, Gayle Wherry, Candy Roberg, Gretchen Chamberlin, Chris Long, Annmarie & Adrianna Jorgenson (family of former AWF dog JJ...now known as Mikey), Brenda Dickey, Brenda Hanks, Barrie Reynolds, Janet Davis, Coreen Yousse, Kathy Kick, Annie Locher and Hailey Harms
Lastly thank you to the numerous people (too many to remember) for donating the items for the garage sale and bake sale, we couldn’t have done it without any of you!! If we have forgotten to mention anyone, please accept our apologies. This is an enormous undertaking and many people were involved to pull it off. Please know we appreciate each and every one of you!
Raffle Ticket Winners Announced!
Thanks go out to those who sold raffle tickets for us and Congratulations to the following raffle ticket winners!
1. Jennifer Benson - $100 Lindale Mall certificate
2. Mary Seyter - AWF sweatshirt
3. Andrew Smothers - Cat or dog pin
4. Mike Benge, Linda Thompson and Karmen Smith - Gimme Shelter t-shirt
5. Clark Ludman - AWF ball cap
6. Chris Perez and David Boehm - Bizarro cartoon t-shirt
7. Penny Novak - Biscotti dog treats
8. Perry Baker - Candle
9. Diana Rae Patten - Dog or cat collar
10. Johann May - Key chain
Soup Supper Recap
AWF made $422 at the Olin soup supper that was held on Saturday March 15th. Great job, Paul Moeller, our ring leader for the event! Thanks to the following volunteers and businesses for making this event such a success. Cooks/bakers: Jane Hilton, Denise Koppenhaver, Paul Moeller, Nancy Crist, Anita Clark, Mike Crist, and Meghan Eganhouse. Leslie & Mike Buscher for the four dozen puppy cupcakes. Worked at the event: Paul Moeller, Meghan Eganhouse, Melissa Aalfs, Anita Clark, Candy Roberg, Paul Morris, and Mike Crist. Businesses: Thelma's Kitchen, Jane Majzcl and Linda Kreger, five dozen buns, oyster crackers, two pecan pies and two dozen cookies, Randy Jones, VP, Citizens State Bank, napkins and placemats, and to Post 412, American Legion, for providing the facility at no charge!
Microchipping Event Recap
AWF's first microchipping event was a great success! After subtracting our cost for the microchips, we netted $521. That's great for five hours of work! We microchpped 39 dogs from the public and 7 AWF dogs. Thanks to Dick and Dawn Walton of The Dog Zone for allowing us to use their business for our event. We couldn't have done it without you. Thanks also to the following volunteers who gave up their Saturday to make this event a success: Tarah Young, Shannon Suby, Paul Morris, Carrie Hoover, Melissa Aalfs, and Kathy Rutherford. In addition to raising money to provide veterinary care for our stray animals, we also feel proud of the fact that we provided a public service. With vets charging $30-$40+ for microchipping, we have made the service affordable to people who probably would not otherwise microchip their pets. At the vet rates, those of us with multiple pets simply can't afford it. So thank you to all and remember we are hoping to hold more microchip events in the future!
AWF Announces New Board of Directors!
In order to help streamline our organization and make us more efficient and effective we've made some changes to our Board of Directors, including adding two additional seats. The board members, their areas of responsibility, and contact information was announced as follows:
JOI BERGMAN, PRESIDENT (joibergman@yahoo.com or 319-378-4029)
The President serves as Chief Executive Officer of the organization.
Duties include:
Managing the daily activities of AWF.
Supervising and acting as main communicator with Urgent Dog volunteers.
Acting as mediator when disagreements arise between volunteers or
complaints arise from the public regarding an AWF volunteer.
Supervising volunteer work on AWF’s web site and Petfinder.org
MELISSA AALFS, VICE PRESIDENT (mlaalfs@netzero.com or 319-415-1270)
Duties include:
As Director of Rescue & Foster Care, supervise AWF’s foster program and
foster homes.
Overseeing activities of the Cat Coordinator.
In cooperation with the President and Cat Coordinator, decide which
“non-Urgent” dogs and cats can be taken into AWF foster homes.
PAUL MORRIS, SECRETARY (pmrm@netins.net or 319-437-8164)
Duties include:
Recruiting, supervising and keeping records of volunteers and their
activities.
Acting as a sounding board if a volunteer is having difficulty with another
volunteer or board member; communicate this information to the Board and
work towards a favorable resolution.
Organizing, with assistance as needed from other volunteers, AWF’s annual
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.
MIKE CRIST (CO-FOUNDER), TREASURER (mike@historycenter.org or 563-826-2208)
Duties include:
Completing all required IRS forms, including 990.
Securing annual liability insurance for AWF Board Members and AWF
volunteers.
Do a comparison periodically to compare rates among insurance providers.
Providing monthly financial updates to the Board.
With approval from the Board, hire and supervise an accountant or other
financial specialist to assist with AWF’s growing income.
Providing receipts to donors for amounts of $250 or more, or upon request
of the donor.
Paying AWF bills and resolving any disputes over dollars owed, with
assistance as needed from other Board Members.
NANCY CRIST (FOUNDER), DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS (nancycrist@netins.net or 563-826-2208)
Duties include:
Writing grants and supervising volunteers who write grants.
Organizing and supervising fundraising events and programs; supervising
fundraising efforts of volunteers in cooperation with Treasurer.
Overseeing printing of AWF publications for fundraising purposes
(calendars, etc.).
Acting as AWF spokesperson for the media, community groups and
business groups.
Writing and designing AWF’s newsletter.
Overseeing printing of AWF non-fundraising publications and recruiting
sponsors to underwrite the printing.
Local Artist to Donate $100,000 to Local Animal/Rescue Groups
You may have seen the story on your local news. Local artist, Santiago Sanchez has created a limited edition print in honor of the little creatures we all love. The prints are $100 and when it's purchased, you designate which group the money should go to. So come on, help AWF - Buy A Limited Edition Print! To see the print or get more information, please click here or visit Santiago’s website at www.signaturesantiago.com.
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BETTY BLUE SAVED FROM CHICAGO
BETTY BLUE'S STORY IS A HEARTBREAKING ONE. In February, Chicago police officers found Betty during a severe ice storm when someone left her to die on the street. She had wounds on her face and body, which the officers recognized as fighting injuries. Betty also had open wounds on her front legs and her throat had been slit. Back at the precinct, Betty was scheduled to be euthanized, but luckily Chicago's Animal Control was running late, so she was still at the precinct when a female officer came on duty and discovered Betty.  She immediately transported Betty to Mayfair Animal Hospital in Chicago. An examination of Betty revealed that she also had a broken jaw and she was severely underweight. No one at the hospital thought Betty would survive, but she amazed everyone. As she began to recover, she quickly became the sweetheart of the clinic. Despite the unbelievable cruelties that she had suffered at the hands of people, Betty was affectionate beyond belief. She wagged her tail with such enthusiasm that it became bloody from pounding her kennel, so her friends at the hospital carefully wrapped it so it was protected. Her vet determined that the size and shape of the wounds on her legs indicated she had been shackled. Her weight was a concern; when she sat, she was so thin that her hip bones touched. Around the third week of her stay at the hospital, her friends felt she was ready to leave and began contacting animal rescues. Given Betty's fighting background, they made it a priority to find a place for her that would not have other dogs. They knew this would be difficult, since the people who would want to help would most likely have a dog, if not two or three. But thanks to the magic of the Internet, the plea for help from Betty's friends reached Animal Welfare Foundation of Iowa. AWF's president and her husband offered to keep her at the organization's office, where she would have plenty of interaction with people but would not be around dogs. Betty is currently up for adoption, see More Pets for information on how to adopt Betty! Also don't miss our Betty Blue Picture Page to see Betty's incredible injuries and pictures of Betty today.
WANT TO HELP PAY OFF BETTY BLUE'S BILL? Officer Nancy Foley and friends are trying to pay Betty's bill at Mayfair Animal Clinic, which saved her life. They have managed to reduce the debt to $900, but are still working to raise funds for the remaining balance. If you are touched by Betty's story and the compassionate folks in Chicago who saved her life, please consider sending a donation to the clinic today. Be sure and enclose a note that says "for Betty Blue's bill."
Mayfair Animal Clinic
4314 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60641-2144
Phone: 773-478-1868
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Over 350 Dogs Saved from Death Row in Eastern Iowa since our founding in March 2003. AWF has also helped an additional 33 dogs and four cats that were at-risk (in situations that endangered their health and/or lives) and surrendered by individuals. Thank you to the individuals and businesses who support our work! Each week brings more stray dogs. Please continue to support our efforts so that we can continue to offer hope to these homeless animals. You can also help by spreading the word about our Web site, wesavepets.org. Please tell your friends, relatives, neighbors and coworkers who are looking for a family dog to visit our site and use us as a resource. With our Good Citizen Prison Dog Training Program, launched in June 2004, we have even more dogs to consider. For more information on this exciting program and to “meet” the dogs currently enrolled, go to the Prison Dogs page. For information on dogs currently being held by Jones County and in urgent need of homes, go to our Urgent Dogs page.
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 HOW YOU CAN HELP
Friend of the Dogs Campaign. Animal Welfare Foundation has launched a new fund-raising campaign. When you donate $75 to AWF, you join a special “pack”…you will receive a “Friend of the Dogs” T-shirt, a cloisonné lapel pin of AWF’s professionally-designed logo and a discount card that can be used throughout the year on the purchase of AWF items, such as We Saved Dudley T-shirts and dog and cat-themed accessories. The Friend of the Dogs T-shirt and AWF pin cannot be purchased separately. You can ONLY get these items by becoming a Friend of the Dogs. You can receive a Friend of the Dogs packet by completing the form below and mailing it and a check to AWF. All this; unique, cool itmes, a discount card, and you are helping to save the lives of Eastern Iowa's homeless animals too. That's a winning combination you can't beat! |
Donations are always welcome…whether you’re donating collars, leashes, pet porters, dog food or money. All are put to good use in helping to save the dogs in Eastern Iowa. Thanks to your support, these dogs have hope!
AWF Store. Now available!! A selection of unique, quality items for dog and cat lovers! All profits from the sale of these items support AWF’s efforts, including the Urgent Dog Program, which saves dogs at risk of being euthanized and the Good Citizen Prison Dog Program. These items can be ordered by mail. Click on the pdf below to view the AWF Store items and print off the order form. |
THE AWF ADOPTION ADVANTAGE
When you adopt an Animal Welfare Foundation Dog, you are at an advantage, because you are receiving many “Pluses.” AWF's Adoption Advantage includes the following.
Total Well Dog Care
All vaccinations (rabies/corona/distemper/parvo), heartworm check, and heartworm preventative, flea preventative, tick preventative, ear mite preventative and worming for a broad spectrum of intestinal parasites. While some groups and shelters worm for the most common intestinal parasites, AWF pays an additional $15-$20 per dog to treat each dog for tape worm, hook worm and round worm, in addition to common parasites. If a dog tests positive for heartworm, he/she is treated. We recently had an Urgent Dog fighting for his life, and we provided whatever veterinary care was necessary to help him recover. Cost is not a priority; making sure that Sonny regains his health is our priority.
In spite of the fact that we provide a minimum of over $200+ in vet care per dog (based on Cedar Rapids rates), we have an adoption fee of $90 ($125 for prison dogs, which includes basic dog obedience training in addition to vet care). We work hard at our fund-raising--selling T-shirts, having bake sales and rummage sales--so that we can cover the majority of vet care expenses and maintain an affordable adoption fee.
AWF's Spay/Neuter Policy for Puppies & Kittens
Early in 2006, AWF adopted a new policy regarding spaying/neutering of puppies and kittens. In the past, we would release a puppy or kitten to an adoptive family with a written agreement that the family would have the pet altered at six months of age. However, the reality is that it is very difficult to enforce this agreement once the pet is out of AWF’s care. Because of the inconsistency of compliance, AWF decided to take an affirmative step to ensure that it was in no way contributing to the overpopulation of homeless dogs and cats. Consequently, no kittens or puppies are released for adoption until our vet deems they are old enough to spay/neuter. We believe it is essential to take this step, even if it means we may take a bit longer to find homes for these babies. We have found through experience that many people want to adopt puppies and kittens around 6 or 8 weeks because they’re so adorable. If we wait 12 weeks to spay/neuter, which is often what our veterinarian recommends, some people lose interest because the puppy or kitten is now “too big.” We think our new spay/neuter policy, in addition to taking decisive action to alleviate the pet overpopulation problem, has the added benefit of weeding out those people who are infatuated with young pets as babies but lose interest when the pets reach adulthood.
Many responsible animal rescue groups and shelters have adopted this spay/neuter policy. We place the health and safety of our voiceless charges as a top priority. We place pets first and we want to adopt to families that understand, respect and support our philosophy. It is, after all, not about us…it’s all about the animals.
Dog Behavior Evaluation
Two AWF volunteers have received dog behavior evaluation training at Cedar Valley Humane Society in Cedar Rapids and the nationally-acclaimed Sue Sternberg workshop. AWF has made a financial commitment to training volunteers in behavior evaluation because we believe this is an important responsibility of each animal shelter and rescue group. Behavior evaluation provides a baseline for establishing dog behavior and it is an important tool that is helpful in making the best match between families and dogs.
Helpful Hand-Outs
When you adopt an AWF dog, you receive a packet of materials that is provided to answer common questions we receive from new adoptive families, as well as coupons to provide cost-savings in several areas. Our Adoption Packet includes:
- Coupons from Cedar Rapids area Dog Trainers
- A Resource List for Pet Owners that includes Veterinarians, Animal Behavior Counselors, Dog Trainers, and more
- Articles on How to Introduce Dogs, How to Identify Problem Behavior and other issues important to dog owners
Coaching & Counseling
Many of our volunteers are knowledgeable in dog behavior, nutrition and training/behavior modification. Most of our volunteers have multiple pets and have themselves dealt with pet behavior issues. We encourage our adoptive families to call upon our experience and expertise. Many times, we find that adoptive families do not take a behavior issue seriously at first, and by the time the pet's behavior escalates into a full-blown problem, it becomes very difficult to change the pet's behavior. So call us. We want you and your pet to be friends for life. And if you encounter a pet problem that we have not dealt with before, we are happy to refer you to our favorite professional dog trainers.
Please Contact Us if you have questions or comments…(563) 826-2208 or wesavepets@netins.net. |
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