Humane Society of Wilkes

Greetings...

from the Humane Society of Wilkes.  With school back in session, the summer is winding down and everyone is enjoying the dog days of summer.  But for our dedicated volunteers, every day of the year is a “dog day” – and “cat day” too.  It is incredible how many dedicated volunteers we have, and how many hours they contribute to carry out our projects.  Thanks to all who help out in every way.  Read on to find out about what has been going on for the last few months, and what is planned in the months to come.  And if you see a project that touches your heart and you would like to volunteer, please let us know.  We can use your help.

Kind News

  Beginning in September, every child in every kindergarten, first and second grade class will receive his own copy of Kind News each month.  This is a magazine written especially for primary grade children that promotes humane treatment of animals and concern for the environment.  The Humane Society of Wilkes provides these subscriptions to the schools, and the project is funded by donations.  To date, we have had $1,235 of the $2,002 cost donated.  If you would like to support a classroom, send your $25.00 contribution to P. O. Box 306, North Willkesboro, NC 28659 and mark is as a Kind News contribution.  Thank you for your consideration of this worthwhile project.

Membership

  Welcome and thank you to all who have either renewed their membership or joined the Humane Society of Wilkes for the first time.  Following are those who have done so from April 1 through July 31 of this year.

• Adena Greene
• Jane Rogers
• Joyce Absher
• Thelma Walker
• Kayren Hall
• Sylvia Smith
• Ginger Lehmann
• Heather Lawson
• Fran Cantrell
• Donna Peterson
• Carol Shuffler
• John Willardson
• Wayne Fletcher
• Ann Willardson
• Kimberly Hendren
• Carol Childers
• Arlene McGrane
• Mary Elmore
• Deb Zelensky
• Jessica Elmore
• Reid & Annelle Kellam
• Steve Jackson
• Diana Bray
• Francie Rogers
• Sue Barr
• Anna Griggs
• Glenn & Andrea Cook
• Martha Adams
• Vickie McInnis
• Paul Adams
• Kimberly Moser
• Amanda Adams
• Courtney Williams
• Ed Parsons
• Blair Hancock
• Belinda Laws
• Barbara Gray
• Sylvia Hansmann

  Your mailing label indicates the date that your membership dues will be due again.  Dues are $15.00 per year for adults, $10.00 per year for children.  Membership dues can be mailed to P.O. Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

2005 Best Friends Calendar

  The judges have made their selections and the 2005 calendar is at the printer.  We had wonderful photos submitted this year; the judges commented that it was very difficult to make their selections.  Thanks to the Yadkin County Humane Society for judging the entries.  The winners are as follows:

Front Cover: “Maggie” and Sarah Timin
  Submitted by Ruby N. Vogel
January: “Shakespeare”
  Submitted by Libby Brooks
February: “Sher”
  Submitted by Nancy Cox
March: “Puddy Woo”
  Submitted by Bo Thomas
April: “Callie”
  Submitted by Patsy Cockerham
May: “Aussie”
  Submitted by Jeff Hall
June: “Victor” and “Holly”
  Submitted by Carol G. Minton
July: “Cleo” and “Red”
  Submitted by Laurel Robertson
August: “Ella” and “Brant”
  Submitted by Sylvia Smith
September: “Rudy” and “Rufus”
  Submitted by Benny and Marilyn Royal
October: “Keesha”
  Submitted by Darrel and Mitzi Combs
November: “Shawna Lace”
  Submitted by Christy Poteat
December: “Tiffany”,” Misty”, and “Kokamoe”
  Submitted by Kim and Len Broyhill
Back Cover: “Puppus” and Rayna Bowden
  Submitted by David Ritter

We also had the following entries that were selected as honorable mentions:We also had the following entries that were selected as honorable mentions:

“Agamemnon” – Anne Young
“Lucky” – Ashley Billings
“Spirit Weighs In” – Libby Brooks
“Bell Tower Duncan” – Bill Duncan
“ Tucker” and Eli Stone – Stephanie Stone
“ Ame, the Greyhound” – Claudia Eller
“BB” and “Brittany – Kathy Sebastian
“Lady Pat” and “Honey Bun” – Dot Beamon
“Selden” and Bram Koch – Julie Koch
“Harley” and “Macey” – Donna Peterson
“Puddin” – Donna Peterson
“Kira” and Sarah – Judy Rhodes
“Mew”, “Trouble”, & “Keara” – Casandra Scharke
“Duke IV” – Tammy Sidden
“Paddles” & Callie Beshears – Phyllis Beshears
“Rosie” – Jennie Decker
“Dudley” & “PJ” – Mike & Shirley Bullis
“Cody” – Darrel & Mitzi Combs
“Prissy” – Jim & Patty Pierce
“Luke” – Mike & Robin Walker
“Cookie Monster” – Bo Thomas
“Shadow”, “Cato”,, & Nathan Eller, Jr.
“Shelly” – Ginger Edmiston & Bobby Johnson
“Shelly in the Snow” – Edmiston & Johnson
“Peaches” & Robert – Lisa R. Smith
“Ozzy” – Fredricka & Jonathan Rhodes
“Ozzy Asleep” – Fredricka & Jonathan Rhodes
“Puppus”, Scott Dowd & Laurne Serrano – David Ritter
“Duke and Duches” – Vanessa Church
“Lady Duchess” – Vanessa Church
“Pepper” & Kayla Barnes – Dorcey Sue Barnes
“Tigger” – Jessie Elmore

We are also extremely grateful to the following businesses and individuals who purchased advertising in the calendar. Their help and support allows us to print the calendars.

Yadkin Valley Insurance
Mitzi Combs
Empire Auto
Margery Edgerton
Wilkes Veterinary Hospital
Carolina Glue Chip
Nan Davis Van Every
Midtown Market
Mike’s Body Shop
Sylvia Smith
Anonymous friends
PC Source
Ginger Edmiston and Bobby Johnson
Jean Moore
HSOW Board of Directors
Carol Childers
Marcella Church
Carol & Eugene Shuffler
The Journal-Patriot
Animal Hospital
Virginia Foxx
Dr. Carol Reid

Calendars will be sold for $10.00 each.  They will be available at our booth at the Apple Festival, at local veterinary offices, and from board members.  They make great Christmas gifts!

Adoption Committee

  To date this year, 70 canines and 22 felines have been adopted through the efforts of the adoption committee.  This is slightly more than the same time period last year.  Thanks to our dedicated foster parents, we have been able to rescue and foster more animals from the shelter.  For the first time we have foster homes that are able and willing to accept newborn litters of kittens and puppies from the shelter.  Thanks to Mary, Ed and Katie Parsons, and Deb Zelensky, three litters of newborn kittens were rescued.  And thanks to Donna Peterson, Blair Hancock, Barbara Gray, and the Parsons family, we were able to rescue four litters of puppies this year.  Joyce Shew and Kimberly Moser have each fostered several puppies, and several adult cats have been rescued and fostered by Belinda Laws.

  The more foster homes we have, the more lives we can save.  A special thanks to all those who have opened their homes, and put forth the extra effort that is required to take care of these animals.

Sadie – Foster Pet Available

  Sadie is a female two year old feist mix dog that weighs about 13 pounds.  She is white and black and extremely cute.  She is also well behaved and affectionate, and knows how to walk on a leash and sit on command.  She has tested negative for heartworms, and had all her routine vaccinations.  Sadie is doing well in her foster home, but she is ready for a forever, loving home.  The adoption fee of $ 75.00 will also cover the cost of surgery to have her spayed.  If you are interested in adopting Sadie, or would like more information, please call Lynda at 957-5337.

Food for Thought

“If you take a dog which is starving and feed him and make him prosperous, that dog will not bite you. This is the primary difference between a dog and a man.”
Mark Twain

Volunteer Spotlight

  Even before officially joining the humane society this year, Joyce Shew helped us at adoption fairs – taking care of animals, washing pups, and cleaning up at the end of the day.  When three stray puppies showed up at her house early this year, she asked the adoption committee for help.  She joined the society, signed up to be an official foster home, and fostered the three pups until they were adopted.  Before long, another stray puppy appeared, and she fostered that one as well.  After all these strays were adopted, she decided to open her home to animals from the shelter as well.  Since then, she has fostered two puppies and two adult dogs from the shelter.  Way to go, Joyce!  We are extremely fortunate to have your help, and look forward to your continuing volunteer involvement.

Adult Cats For Adoption

  We currently have two adult cats in foster care that are in need of permanent homes.  Our first available foster cat is a spayed female named Sophie.  She is a domestic long hair with the softest gray tabby coat and bright green eyes.  Sophie is about a year old.  She gets along with children, other cats, and dogs.  This sweetheart is one of the most affectionate cats you will ever see.  She will make a wonderful addition to someone’s family.

  Our second available foster cat is Freya.  Freya was found at one of the local high schools with a litter of four kittens.  The Parsons fostered her at first until her kittens were weaned and adopted.  After Freya learned how to exit through the doggie door, she went to live with Belinda.  She is a lovely calico cat that has already been spayed.  Freya would probably do best in a home where she was the only cat.  She does love the outdoors and could be placed in a home with safe outside access.

  If you are interested in adopting Sophie or Freya, please call Belinda at 973-7212 for more information.

Responsible Dog Day

  We are currently planning our second annual Responsible Dog Day.  The American Kennel Club and the Humane Society of Wilkes are sponsors of this event.  It will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2004 at the Hidden Oaks Dog Park in Wilkesboro.  This was a fun day last year, and this year is shaping up to be bigger and better!

  The purpose of this event is to celebrate the bonds we have with our canine friends, and to promote responsible dog ownership.

  Plans are being finalized and will include demonstrations of police dogs, assistance dogs, and obedience/agility.  We have invited groomers, pet sitters, and other pet oriented businesses to attend and supply information about their products and services.  We will have prizes to raffle, and pet items for sale.  There will be a reduced fee rabies and micro-chipping clinic.  Refreshments will be available.  And the grand finale for the day will be a just for fun dog show.

  Mark your calendars now and watch for more information and a schedule of events to be printed soon.

Spay Neuter Program

  There continues to be a big demand for our spay/neuter vouchers.  From January through June of this year we have had 104 vouchers used to pay for spaying or neutering for dogs and cats.  Eighty seven per cent of these vouchers went to low-income households, who might not have been able to afford this surgery without our help.  These vouchers were used for 29 male cats, 25 female cats, 12 male dogs, and 38 female dogs.  Just imagine the impact that this has on the numbers of puppies and kittens being born each year – many of which end up unwanted and uncared for.

  The cost of this program through June was $3,505 – money well spent for the benefits received.  Please consider making a monetary contribution to help support this program.  Every dollar of your contribution goes directly to pay for the vouchers.  Contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.  Thank you for your support.

Hidden Oaks Dog Park

  It has been a long time in the making, but the Hidden Oaks Dog Park is nearing completion... and it looks great!  Fencing has been finished, and the signs are going up.  The fenced area is quite large, and the fence is well constructed and sturdy.  There is a nice walking track around the fenced area.  Benches and picnic tables are ready to be put into place.  We still have some finishing touches to complete, such as water sources, trash receptacles, and of course landscaping, but our dreams of a first class dog park are coming true.  You all need to go by and see it for yourselves!

  The park has been a collaborative effort of the Humane Society of Wilkes and the Town of Wilkesboro.  The town has provided the labor for construction of the park, and we have supplied the fencing and other materials.  The town will continue to provide maintenance, mowing, upkeep for the track, and trash collection.

  The park is named Hidden Oaks Dog Park in memory of Barbara Absher Eldridge.

  Any interested dog lovers – or friends of dog lovers – can still make gifts for the park.  Gifts may be designated in honor of or in memory of pets or people, and may be sent to P.O. Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Food Lion Shop and Share

  So far this year our participation in the Food Lion Shop and Share program has brought in $68.24.  Thanks to all of you who have linked your MVP cards to our organization.  This is a painless and cost-free way for anyone to contribute to the humane society.  If you have not signed up yet but would like to do so, just go to www.foodlion.com and follow the prompts.  You can also register at any Food Lion store if you do not have internet access.

How True…..

There are two means of refuge from the misery of life – music and cats.
Albert Schweitzer

Contributions

  The following contributions have been received from April through July 2004.  We appreciate your kind and generous donations.

General contributions
Connie Reid