Winter Newsletter - Humane Society of Bay County

Transcription

Winter Newsletter - Humane Society of Bay County
nimal
A Winter 2015
w w w. h u m a n e s o c i e t y b a y c o u n t y . o r g
Humane So ciet y of B ay Count y
Humane Societ y
2015 Calendar of Events
Humane Society Board Meetings, 6:30 p.m. in
Bangor Township Recreation Hall, 180 State Park Dr.
January 15, February 19 & March 19
Public is welcome to attend!
January is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month. Take dog and cat
food and litter to the Pet Pantry at Salvation Army, 10th &
Adams, to help pet owners and pets in need (see p. 9)
January 8 – Low Cost Spay/Neuter Transport (see p. 18)
January 10 - HSBC Cat Shelter Workshop, 11 am - 2 pm,
Wirt Library Community Room (see p. 5)
January 20 - HSBC TNR Workshop, 6-7:30 p.m., Wirt
Library Community Room (see p. 7)
January 22 – Low Cost Spay/Neuter Transport (see p. 18)
January 24 – Change a Pet’s Life Day
January 31 – HSBC Adoption Event (see p. 7)
February is National Prevent a Litter Month and
Unchain a Dog Month. Take dog and cat food and litter
to the Pet Pantry at Salvation Army, 10th & Adams, to
help pet owners and pets in need. (see p. 9)
February 5 – Low Cost Spay/Neuter Transport (see
p. 18)
February 14 – Canines, Cats & Cupids Gala
Fundraiser, The Grand Banquet Center,
Essexville (see p. 6)
February 15-21 – National Justice for Animals Week
February 19 – Low Cost Spay/Neuter Transport (see
p. 18)
February 20 – National Love Your Pet Day:
February 24 - Spay Day U.S.A.
February 28 – HSBC Adoption Event (see p. 7)
M arch is Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month. Take dog
and cat food and litter to Pet Pantry at Salvation Army, 10th
& Adams, to help pet owners and pets in need. (see p. 9)
March 5 – Low Cost Spay/Neuter Transport (see p. 18)
March 13 – K-9 Veterans Day
March 19 – Low Cost Spay/Neuter Transport (see p. 18)
March 23 – National Puppy Day
March 28 – HSBC Adoption Event (see p. 7)
Newsletter Designer - Teresa Cunningham; Editor - Leslie Prast
Staff Writer - Sylvia Robins
Find us on facebook!
989.893.0451
President’s Message
Destination: No Kill Shelter
Looking back on 2014 in our rear
view mirror, we can see that our
organization has come a long
way in just one year as we work
to save, protect and enhance the
Until
lives of animals in Bay County. Our
They All
aims for 2014 were to put into place
Have a H
ome
the necessary elements of the No Kill
Equation to reduce the ever-increasing
numbers of unwanted and homeless animals
in our community. With the help and teamwork of our HSBC
Board and our dedicated volunteers, in 2014 we established and
grew three essential No Kill components which, combined, will
enable us to realize our future goal of no more homeless pets in
Bay County.
The first of these essential components is our HSBC Foster
Program. In 2014 we received and found homes for over 350
felines adopted through our Foster Program, all of which were vet
checked, sterilized, vaccinated and socialized before adoption.
The odds were tremendous that these homeless animals would
otherwise have ended up in the high kill Bay County Animal
Shelter, where the vast majority would have become sad
statistics.
A second No Kill component which the HSBC established in
2014 is our Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Program for community
cats. Community cats may or may not be feral, but they all
have two things in common: they are not owned, and their
numbers continue to grow with each litter produced. To
stop this cycle, our TNR volunteers have trapped over 200
community cats in 2014. We have also purchased dozens
of humane traps, trained volunteers to do the trapping, and
provided winterized shelters for outdoor cats. Because
these cats are not owned, the HSBC also pays for their
sterilization, a rabies vaccination, and ear clipping before
returning them to the places where they were trapped
to live out their natural lives, no longer able to produce
more litters.
(continued on pg. 2)
(President’s message continued from pg. 1)
A third No Kill component established in the
past year is our HSBC Low Cost Sterilization
Program. In 2014 the HSBC partnered with
All About Animal Rescue (AAAR) to provide
a low cost sterilization option for canines and
felines which charges only $40 for cats and
$80 for dogs. Just since last June, over 500
animals whose owners would not otherwise
have been able to afford to fix their pets have
been sterilized in this program.
Because of these three crucial HSBC programs
of the No Kill Equation being implemented,
succeeding, and growing in 2014, the numbers
of unwanted animals being born in Bay County
have already been reduced, with ultimately
fewer animals in need of homes being killed in
the county shelter.
Now, having come so far in 2014, where is
the HSBC heading in 2015 on our journey
to establish No Kill for Adoptable Animals in
Bay County? In November 2014, our HSBC
Board of Directors announced the start of
our campaign to provide a No Kill shelter for
our community! The Board is continuing to
investigate different options and will have
more details to share with you in the spring
newsletter.
Meanwhile, you can help now by joining
others in providing funds to our Capital
Campaign to raise money for our No Kill
shelter. Please make a special donation
today to the HSBC, earmarking it for this
exciting opportunity to at last provide a no kill
option for healthy and adoptable animals in
Bay County.
Jeannie Wolicki-Nichols
President, Humane Society of Bay County
Support the HSBC No
Kill Shelter Campaign:
“With realization of our
potential and confidence
in our abilities, we can
build a better world
for animals.”
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Dalai Lama
Update:
Bay City Ordinance
to Limit Cat Ownership
In November 2014 HSBC representatives met with Bay City
and Bay County officials to discuss a proposal submitted to the
City of Bay City by the Humane Society. The proposal was to
form a partnership with the city to address the overpopulation
of “community cats” by implementing a Trap-Neuter-Return
(TNR) program. (TNR has been shown to be a responsible,
humane and effective method of caring for unowned outdoor
cats.)
Bay City Manager Richard Finn has experience with TNR in
his former community and believes that TNR is an effective
program. Mr. Finn will be proposing to the Bay City Board of
Commissioners that the City partner with the HSBC on a 2-year
TNR Pilot Program to manage feral and unowned cats within
the city.
More meetings and discussions will follow, but the HSBC is
looking forward to partnering with the City of Bay City on this
progressive new initiative.
Jeannie Wolicki-Nichols, President
HSBC Strategic Plan for 2015
The icy roads did not deter 22 people from attending a Humane Society
of Bay County Strategic Planning Meeting on November 22, 2014. The
group met for a 4-hour session led by HSBC volunteer Rose Kessel to
identify our organization’s top three priorities for 2015. After participants
brainstormed and voted on the ideas shared, our direction for 2015
became very clear:
Create a No Kill Shelter for healthy, adoptable animals in Bay
County
Improve our marketing and educational efforts in the community
Increase memberships and donations to fund a No Kill shelter and
the costs of expanding the programs the HSBC offers
The focus of the December HSBC Board Meeting was to identify the
next steps in implementing these goals.
Please consider making a special donation to the No Kill Shelter
Campaign Fund and joining the Humane Society in helping to save the
lives of homeless animals in our community.
Jeannie Wolicki-Nichols, President
Past Events:
HSBC Adoption Events
Almost four dozen wonderful cats and kittens in the
HSBC Foster Program found forever homes in a series
of weekend adoption events in the last part of 2014. In
addition, over $1200 was raised from donations, raffles,
and sales of handmade pet items and homemade baked
goods. These successful events included:
A lucky kitten in
the arms of her
new Mom “Cat-A-Palooza”, Sept. 25-27 at Pet Supplies
Plus, chaired by Leslie Prast, 8 adoptions
“Fall in Love”, Oct. 18-19 at Pet Supplies Plus,
chaired by Marykay Plotnik, 11 adoptions
“Mall Mayhem for Halloween”, Oct. 25 at the Bay City
Mall, chaired by Sandy Wahr, 9 adoptions
“Merry Kitty Kristmas”, Nov. 9 at Soldan’s Feed & Pet
Supplies, chaired by Marykay Plotnik, 9 adoptions
“Krazy Kitty Adoption”, Dec. 13 at Soldan’s Feed
& Pet Supplies, chaired by Marykay Plotnik, 5
adoptions
Thanks to the staff of Pet Supplies Plus, the Bay City Mall,
and Soldan’s Feed & Pet Supplies for hosting and supporting
these events, and to our wonderful HSBC volunteers who
worked so hard to ensure that these adoption events were
successful: Debra Andrews, Kathy Badour, Andrew Bielecki,
Andrew Bilicci, Marykaye Bluhm, Stephanie Case, Abby Gower,
Mario Guerrero, Stephanie Guerrero, Kelli Jankens, Cheryl
McKenzie, Marykay Plotnik, Sherry Nelson, Leslie Prast, Marilyn Prezlewlski, Sylvia Robins, Martha Rogalny, Bonnie
Spegel, Nancy Wahr, Richard Wahr, Sandy Wahr, and Jeannie Wolicki-Nichols. Please check our HSBC website and
FaceBook page for upcoming adoption events to find your new BFFF (Best Furry Forever Friend) or to volunteer to help
at these lifesaving events.
Leslie Prast
HSBC Unveils New Website: w w w.humanesociet ybaycount y.org
We are pleased to present our newly redesigned website for the Humane Society of Bay County - feel free to take a peek!
This new website, aside from being aesthetically pleasing, is more interactive and easier to scan, read, and navigate.
On this HSBC webpage you can find out how we are saving animals in Bay County, how you can volunteer or make a
donation, join or renew your membership, check for upcoming HSBC events, and find information on our TNR, Foster/
Adoption, and Low Cost Spay/Neuter programs, among other features. Just as importantly, our key messages, mission
and value propositions are evident and clear.
One of the main goals we wanted to achieve in redesigning the new site was to help the community get to know us better
and get a feel for who we are and what we do as an organization. We hope you will visit the new website at our old address, humanesocietybaycounty.org and acquaint yourself with the
new design. And while you’re there, sign up to get our e-newsletter, so that we can keep you up to date on all our activities.
Marykay Plotnik, Information Coordinator
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Past Events:
Creation of “No Kill” Shelter for Bay Count y
Announced at HSBC Annual Dinner
Sandy Wahr and
Board Members
ts ck in dinner gues
Judy Fletcher che
For our 30 year anniversary, the Humane Society of Bay County announced
the decision to create a “No Kill” Shelter for the Bay County area. HSBC
President Jeannie Wolicki-Nichols made the announcement at the Annual
Dinner held at The Grand Banquet and Conference Center on November 8,
2014. This exciting goal will allow the HSBC to direct the flow of adoptable
animals into loving new homes after being sterilized, vet checked and
vaccinated. (Currently, the only option available to Bay County residents
is to take unwanted animals to Bay County Animal Control, where they
are often euthanized.) This is a remarkable goal for our HSBC and is in
alignment with more progressive areas across Michigan and the U.S. A
No Kill Shelter Fundraising Campaign has started and some donations are
already coming in earmarked solely for this purpose.
At the Annual Dinner President Nichols reported on the success of several
programs started in 2014 with HSBC’s focus on Bay County’s cats. The
feline euthanasia rate at Bay County Animal Control of over 90% coupled with
awareness of many “community” cats demanded our attention this past year.
Volunteers under the direction of the HSBC have worked tirelessly in providing
foster homes, coordinated by Cheryl McKenzie and Mario and Stephanie
Guerrero. Other important HSBC initiatives described by President Nichols
included establishment of the Trap-Neuter-Return program for community
cats, a partnership with All About Animals Rescue to provide a Low Cost Spay/
Neuter Program, and discussions with Bay City Manager Rick Finn and city
commissioners on managing community cats.
Other highlights of the evening included videos created by volunteer Tomas Calvo spotlighting topics such as our foster
program and the partnership for low cost spay/neuter with All About Animals Rescue. Later in the evening, another video
was shown regarding a puppy mill that was completely shut down last March thanks in part to a partnership between our
HSBC, the Michigan Standard Poodle Rescue of Bay County, and the Humane Society of the United States, saving over
150 poodles and poodle mixes. (Photos of these rescued poodles can be seen at michiganstandardpoodlerescue.com. ).
The evening came to a close with the presentation of the new Board of Directors for 2015: President: Jeannie WolickiNichols; Vice President: Marykay Plotnik and Co-Vice President, Dee Bishop; Secretary: Sandra Wahr; Treasurer: Judy
Fletcher and Board members Sherrie Anderson, Sherie Felske, Stephanie Guerrero, and Cheryl McKenzie.
Following is a list of the awards presented during the evening:
2014 Humanitarian of the Year: Cheryl McKenzie
2014 Veterinararian of the Year: Dr. Tammy Zorn, Zorn Animal Clinic
2014 Volunteer of the Year: Tomas Calvo
2014 Business of the Year: The Animal Pal
2014 Hero of the Year: Barb Morina and Shelly Walczak
Board Service Recognition: Debra Andrews, Rachele Bergey, Lindsay Everett,
Mario Guerrero, Bonnie Spegel, Megan VanParis
Special Recognition: Jeannie Wolicki-Nichols, HSBC Co-founder
Volunteer Recognition: Ashley Anderson, Sherri Anderson, Debra Andrews, Dick
Arnold, Barb Bowes, Teresa Cunningham, Judy Fletcher, Mario Guerrero, Stephanie
Guerrero, Adele Hetzner, Karen Irvine, Tonya Lyons, Marykay Plotnik, Leslie Prast,
Marilyn Przeslawski, Sylvia Robins, Martha Rogalny, Bonnie Spegel,
Susan Somerville-Franz, Sandy Wahr
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Meredith Bishop and Dee Bishop
Past Events:
HSBC Cat Shelter Workshops Help
Communit y Cats Stay Warm
On November 1, 2014, 24 participants built 27 winterized shelters in the
first HSBC workshop to produce warm winter homes for outdoor cats.
Attended by HSBC volunteers and members of the public who are colony
caretakers, the 3-hour session at Wirt Library was led by Randy Krey and
Chris Shelton, staffers from the TNR Program at All About Animals Rescue
in Warren. Randy and Chris provided all the supplies to construct the
shelters: Styrofoam chests, shiny Mylar bubble wrap insulation to line the
chests (to reflect the body heat of the cat when it is inside the shelter),
PVC pipe to serve as an entrance with a “porch” to keep moisture out, and
reflective foil tape to seal the openings and hold the Mylar in place. HSBC
volunteer Gail Hahl generously provided straw to serve as bedding and further
insulation inside the snug shelters. By the end of the workshop, all the participants took home at least one free
completed cat shelter to use for the feral felines they care for.
Since a second workshop in December was organized to produce more shelters, the HSBC now has provided
eight more shelters at no charge to community cat colony caretakers, with about seventeen shelters still on hand
to give away on request. Other HSBC shelter-building workshops are planned for January 10 and February, 2015,
led by HSBC’s new Cat Shelter Coordinator, Joe Wozniak. These upcoming workshops are free and open to the
public; all supplies will be provided by the HSBC. For dates, times and locations, please check the HSBC website,
www.humanesocietybaycounty.org , or email tnr@humanesocietybc.org for more information on how you can help
to provide warm protection from the winter weather for outdoor cats in our community.
Susan Somerville-Franz, TNR Coordinator
Feral kitten Sebastian surveys his
domain from the roof of his HSBC
shelter
Cat Shelter: “Home Sweet Home”
After participating in the workshop sponsored by the HSBC and AAAR (All
About Animals Rescue), the two shelters my daughter Carrie and I made
were set up at my house the very same day. We arranged them so the
entrances faced one another, about 1-1/2 feet apart, resting on cinder
blocks. We made a cozy bed of straw in-between and tucked a heavy
tarp over the top and sides of the shelters to secure them, leaving a small
opening for an entrance between them. We then placed a board on top
to weigh them down, forming a bridge over the gap between the two
shelters.
To my surprise and delight, the three kittens in the TNR colony of five
that I watch over started exploring the shelters almost immediately!
Since Day One, almost every time I go outside now, the kittens pop out of
the shelters with a greeting, yawning and stretching their limbs. They clearly enjoy lazing around on top, too, calling the
shelters their own. Once, they even allowed an overnight guest to come inside - the neighbor’s cat!
With the cold, harsh winter upon us, it’s good to know these fellow creatures have a warm, safe place to call
“Home.” After all, they share the same genetics as any housecat. Who would want their beloved pet to suffer in the
cold? For feral cats, who have no choice, these shelters are the answer. They love them!
Susan Long, HSBC TNR Volunteer
Past Events:
Past Events:
(continued...)
Santa Visits Our Furr y Friends – Twice!
This year Santa Claus came to Bay City not just once, but twice, to pose
for photos with pets brought by their owners for a visit with Santa, raising
almost $1000 for the HSBC.
The first 2014 HSBC Santa Pet Photo event took place on Sunday, December
7, at Pet Supplies Plus, chaired by Stephanie Guerrero. Santa Claus (aka
Rick Debats) did a wonderful job of keeping the animals calm and getting
them to smile for the camera of our photographer, Denise Ruegsegger. This
event even resulted in the adoption of one cat from our Foster Program! We
thank HSBC volunteers Jamie Zeilinger, Marykay Plotnik, Sherry Nelson and
Cheryl McKenzie for making this day so successful.
Then on Saturday, December 13, over 50 beloved pets (dogs, cats, and
even guinea pigs) enjoyed a visit with the jolly guy in the red suit to have
their pictures taken with him at our second 2014 Santa Pet Photo Event.
These furry friends all received festively wrapped treats whether they had been
naughty or nice. (Most admitted to being nice.) Decorated for the holidays, The
Barking Club in downtown Bay City, a pet grooming salon owned by Kimberly White,
hosted this event. While people waited for their pet’s photos to be taken, they browsed the many unique handmade
pet items for sale and enjoyed punch, coffee, cookies and candy canes. Gifts baskets full of treasures which included
a gift certificate were raffled off for donations to the HSBC. Special thanks to Kimberly White and her staff for hosting
this event. Rick Debats, again playing Santa, was great with the pets. (One dog did not even stop to register before
running right up to Santa and jumping into his lap!) Also, special thanks to our photographer, Tonya Lyons of Lyons Eye
Photography, who took as many pictures as necessary to get that perfect photo. This HSBC Santa Pet Photos, chaired
by Debbie Andrews and Bonnie Spegel, was again a great success and lots of fun!
November 7, 2014
Dear Mrs. Wolicki-Nichols,
HSBC kitten Sissy,
sponsored by Handy M.S.
students, visits Santa We want to thank you for allowing us to be a small part of the Humane Society
of Bay County’s mission over the past month. We are grateful to have had the
chance to see the services you provide for the animals in our community.
The students and families of Handy Middle School hope that our donation of
money and supplies can help individuals pay for the care
of the kittens and other animals that are adopted from your
foster program. We truly enjoyed meeting Sky and we
hope she now has a loving home.
If you are ever in need of help in the future, please feel free
to contact us at any time.
Thank you,
The Students of T. L. Handy Middle School
Students in Mr. Hemmingway's class raised funds
to sponsor two HSBC kittens, Sky and Sissy
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Upcoming Events:
Mark your Calendar
Canines, Cats & Cupids
Tickets on Sale!
Tickets for the annual HSBC fundraiser
Canines, Cats, and Cupids at The Grand
Banquet and Conference Center in
Essexville on February 14, 2015 (Valentine’s
Day) can be purchased now through our
website (humanesocietybaycounty.org ) or
by mail (P.O. Box 215, Bay City, MI 48707).
Better than Burma
Shave: The HSBC
Poster Contest!
Tickets are $60 ($50 for military or veterans). Please
indicate how many tickets you would like and that
it is for Canines, Cats, and Cupids. A portion of
proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward
establishing our No Kill shelter for Bay County!
Sponsorships are also available:
$1,000+ Grand Champion (Dinner for 8 +
two bottles of champagne)
$1,000 Top Dog Sponsor (Table/dinner for 8)
$750 Cat’s Meow Sponsor (Dinner for 6)
$500 Best of Show Sponsor (Dinner for 4)
$250 Best of Breed Sponsor Dinner for 2)
$100 Tailwagger Sponsor (Dinner for 1)
Autographed
copies of these
two books will be
available at the
February 14 event.
Books authored and personally autographed by our featured
speaker, Luis Carlos Montalvan, are now available for sale as well,
with two options. You may pay now and pick up your book (bring
your confirmation receipt) at The Yarn Supply Shop on E. North
Union or at Two Men and a Truck on Garfield Ave. Books for sale
are: Until Tuesday (hardcover) $27; Until Tuesday (soft cover) $15;
Tuesday Tucks Me In (children’s hardcover) $17. You may also
reserve your book for pick up the evening of the event.
The gala will be hosted by Mark Torregrossa with DJ Josh Sharrow
of Last Choice Country Radio. The Delta Flute Choir will play
during the cocktail hour (5:00 to 6:00) and while you peruse the
silent and live auction items. Keynote speaker Luis Montalvan and
his beautiful Golden Retriever, Tuesday, will tell their moving story,
followed by a live auction and dancing!
Get your heartstrings, purse strings and dancing shoes ready for
this festive HSBC Valentine’s Day fundraiser that will benefit the
animals of Bay County!
Dee Bishop, Vice President, Event Chair
The Humane Society of Bay County,
along with community businesses, will be
sponsoring a poster contest during the first
two months of 2015 for Bay County high
school teens (grades 9 through 12). Three
original posters will be selected from all
entries and all three will be displayed on
public billboards in Bay City. The first place
winning poster artist will also receive $100.
The second place artist will be awarded
$75, and the third place winner will receive
$50. All three winners will be featured in a
news article in the Bay City Times as well
as in the HSBC newsletter and Facebook
page.
Each poster design must be based on one
of three theme statements that contestants
can select from in a list provided in the
Contest Information and Rules handout.
Entry forms and directions for mailing
posters are included in the rules packet,
available now at any Bay County high
school. Deadline for all posters to be
received by the HSBC is no later than
midnight March 1, 2015. The winning
posters will be displayed on the billboards
during the month of April. For more
information, please email Karen Irvine at
educate@humanesocietybc.org.
This is one of several events designed
by the HSBC to include the youth of
Bay County in educational and creative
activities regarding the humane treatment
of animals. Please encourage any high
school-age teens you know to participate in
this fun and rewarding event.
Karen Irvine, Education Program Coordinator
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Upcoming Events:
Mark your Calendar
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2015
Bay County Community
Center
800 JFK Drive Bay City, MI
48706
5K-9 promises to be a fun packed event including a timed 5k Run/Walk with AND without dogs as
well as a 1 Mile Doggie Dash! Pet participation is encouraged though we ask you to be
considerate of your dog’s ability and limitations.
ALL DOGS ARE TO BE KEPT ON LEASHES. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please be kind and clean up after your furry friend if necessary.
Late registration/check in will open at
7:30am. Come early to join us for
entertainment from Cumulus Media, guest
speakers, vendors, and drawings! Stay
after for food, beverages, and awards for
all participants.
Proceeds will provide funding to the Judy V. Spencer Fund, a fund monitored by the Humane Society of Bay County and the Bay Area Women's Center, to ensure vicHms of domesHc violence can provide a safe place for their pets! Your parHcipaHon in the 5k9 will ensure safety for all members of the family.
Contact:
Jeannie Wolicki-­‐Nichols, Humane Society of Bay County
START TIME & FEES
8:30 5K Run NO DOGS:
$25 registra,on only
$30 with shirt
Prices increase by $10 aTer 8:35 5K Walk NO DOGS: April 1st!
$25 registra,on only $30 with shirt
10:00 5K Run WITH DOGS : $25 registra,on only
$30 with shirt or bandana
$35 with shirt AND bandana
10:05 5K Walk WITH DOGS :
$25 registra,on only
$30 with shirt or bandana
$35 with shirt AND bandana
humanesocietybaycounty@gmail.com
(989) 893-­‐0451
Michael Spencer, Judy V. Spencer Fund Founder
989-­‐233-­‐9685
Jessica Gregor, Bay Area Women’s Center
JGregory@BAWC-­‐MI.org
(989) 686-­‐4551
10:10 1 Mile Doggie Dash: $15 registra,on only
$20 with shirt or bandana
$25 with shirt AND bandana
Preregister for the event at www.ac,ve.com. Shirts and bandanas are guaranteed to par,cipants registered by April 1. A"er April 1, prices will increase by $10 for each event. For more informa,on, please call Michael Spencer at (989)233-­‐9685.
8
Upcoming Events:
Shopping Fundraisers
for the HSBC
Beginning in January 2015, HSBC supporters can help
our organization by shopping at the following direct sales
companies, which will donate a percentage of sales to the
HSBC for the designated month:
January – Thirty-One: purses, handbags, totes, bins,
baskets and accessories
February – Pampered Chef: cookware, cutlery,
kitchen tools and small appliances
March – For Tails Only: pet items: food, tags, collars,
toys, beds, kennel supplies and gifts
For details, please see our HSBC website:
www.humanesocietybaycounty.org .
Sherrie Anderson, Fundraising Committee
It’s Time to Renew Your
2015 HSBC Membership!
The 2015 membership year began on January 1
and ends on December 31 for all HSBC members.
Membership levels and categories are:
Animal Friend - $20
Junior Animal Friend (under age 18) - $10
Animal Supporter/Family - $35
Business Membership - $50
Animal Advocate - $50
Lifetime Membership - $500
Senior Animal Friend (age 60+) - $15
Senior Lifetime Membership (age 65+) - $250
To join or renew your membership, please send
your check (made out to Humane Society of Bay
County) to HSBC, PO Box 215, Bay City, MI
48707, and, if possible, include a donation as well.
You may also join or renew on the HSBC website:
www.humanesocietybaycounty.org . Thank you
for your membership, donations and gifts – your
support makes possible our continuing work for the
animals of Bay County!
Past Events: (continued...)
Program Updates:
Pet Food Pantr y
Winter is a hard time for pets and their owners who are facing
financial challenges. To help address this need, our HSBC has
established a Pet Food Pantry at the Salvation Army, 10th and
Adams, in Bay City, where donated dog and cat food and litter are
repackaged and distributed to needy pet owners. Please consider
making a donation of these pet items to our Pet Food Pantry at
the Salvation Army on a regular basis.
Besides individual donors, Pet Supplies Plus and Kroger on Center Ave. are partnering with the
HSBC to help keep the pantry filled.
In the last quarter of 2014, Kroger and Pet Supplies Plus have donated:
523 pounds of dog food | 34 pounds of cat food | 117 pounds of cat litter | 4 pounds of treats | 11 pet toys
The greatest need is for cat food and litter. Please donate – your generosity could help keep a beloved pet from being
surrendered to the high kill Bay County Animal Shelter. If you need help transporting your donations of food or litter to
the Salvation Army, just call Ron at 989-392-5363 for pickup and delivery. Please donate today!
Ron Pacholka, HSBC Pet Food Pantry Coordinator
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Upcoming Events:
HSBC Coming Attractions: Workshops, Transports & Other Events
At the time of this writing, two free HSBC workshops
open to the public are scheduled for January 2015 in the
Community Room at Wirt Library, 500 Center Ave., Bay
City. The first one, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 11 a.m. to 2
p.m., will provide “hands on” experience to participants
in building winterized shelters for outdoor cats using
Styrofoam chests, Mylar insulation, reflective tape, and
straw. All materials will be provided, and attendees will
be able to take home at least one shelter of their own.
The second workshop, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6:00-7:30
p.m., will explain the HSBC TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return)
Program and provide training for trapping feral cats and
joining the HSBC TNR team or working independently to
help save feral cats and manage their colonies. Details
on future Cat Shelter and TNR workshops will be available
on the HSBC website (www.humanesocietybaycounty.
org) and HSBC Facebook page.
HSBC and its partner, All About Animals Rescue, will
transport dogs and cats in need of low cost sterilization
on Jan. 8 & 22, Feb. 5 & 19, and March 5 & 19 for
surgery at the AAAR clinic in Warren. The cost is $80
for dogs and $40 for cats, with special prices of $25
for feral, stray and barn cats, and $10 each for kittens
2 to 3 months old brought at the same time as their
mother. For more information, please see page 18 in this
newsletter, or check the HSBC webpage or FB page. To
make an appointment for your pet(s), call the clinic toll
free at 888-577-2943 and ask for the Bay City Transport.
Future adoption events featuring cats and kittens in
our HSBC Foster Program are scheduled for the last
Saturday of each month, with the possibility of additional
dates, at varying locations. For details and an up-to-date
schedule, please check the HSBC website or the HSBC
Facebook page. Come and meet the wonderful, loving
cats and kittens waiting for a forever home who will be
available for adoption at these events.
Leslie Prast
HSBC Establishes Trap-NeuterReturn Program in Bay Count y
In spring 2014 our HSBC Foster Coordinator, Cheryl MacKenzie,
first started trapping feral cats to have them sterilized and
vaccinated before returning them to their original territory. Then
in October 2014 the HSBC Board formally established our Trap,
Neuter, Return Program with Susan Somerville-Franz serving as
our TNR Coordinator.
“TNR” is the common term for this type of Community Cat project. TNR has for many years been put in place all over the world and
has now reached Bay City, MI. Basically, TNR was developed
to deal with the overpopulation of outdoor cats. This program
focuses on the problem of lost, abandoned or undomesticated
cats who were born and live their lives outside. In TNR, feral
(undomesticated) cats are humanely trapped, sterilized,
vaccinated and returned to the same property where they were
trapped. The cats in a particular area are quite bonded to each
other and know their area extremely well. They also become
what are called a “colony,” with a volunteer colony caretaker
who agrees to continue to feed and watch over the colony. The
HSBC TNR Program provides winterized cat shelters and assists
caretakers when information or help is needed. We keep a file on
each cat that we have trapped, sterilized, vaccinated and returned.
Because the sterilized cats are no longer able to reproduce, over
time the colony shrinks; in the meantime, the territorial colony cats
keep other ferals or strays from joining the colony.
To date, our HSBC program has TNR’d 190 community cats,
including the kittens of some feral cats. Depending on their
age and disposition, these kittens are either returned with their
mothers or put into our HSBC Foster Program for adoption. Our TNR Program has a great team of trappers, but we can
always use more volunteers to help our Community Cats and
expand our reach. We always have other needs too, such as
people to transport cats to vets, help with paperwork and a myriad
of things that need doing during the TNR days. Because this is a
new program for the HSBC, we also offer workshops/training on
the many aspects of TNR.
All of this takes money, and we surely wouldn’t want to leave out
that we are in need of monetary donations for our work with feral
cats. It costs $25 to spay/neuter and vaccinate one cat. Please
help if you can; any size donation is greatly appreciated. We want
to help as many community cats as we can! (We also offer free
winterized cat shelters to caretakers of
outdoor cats on request.) To volunteer,
to donate, or to request a cat shelter,
contact the HSBC at 989-893-0451 or
email tnr@humanesocietybc.org.
Susan Somerville-Franz, TNR Coordinator
A feral cat in a humane trap
Feral cats wait to go to
the spay/neuter transport
in covered traps
HSBC Foster Program Needs Sponsors
The Humane Society’s focus for the past year has been on homeless (but adoptable)
cats in our community. We are striving to keep cats out of Bay County Animal Control
due to the shelter’s high kill rate as well as the serious upper respiratory infection that
spreads to most cats at the shelter, resulting in their being euthanized.
In response to this need, the HSBC established a Foster Program for cats, which
began in fall 2013 under our Volunteer Foster Coordinator, Cheryl McKenzie. The
Foster Program felines are vet checked, sterilized, leukemia/FIV tested, dewormed,
vaccinated for rabies and distemper/upper respiratory infection, and are given flea
medication before being placed in temporary foster homes for socialization before
being made available for adoption. These sponsored HSBC foster cats and kittens
are now being offered for adoption at Pet Supplies Plus and Soldan’s, as well as
featured on the HSBC Facebook page and at our adoption events. To date, over 350
HSBC foster cats have already been adopted into loving homes!
However, the cost of the HSBC Foster Program far exceeds the adoption fee of $49
which the HS receives for each adopted feline. To assist the HSBC with the cost of the Foster Program, we ask donors to
sponsor a fostered cat or kitten by paying for their vet care, which is approximately $115. To become a sponsor yourself, or
to purchase a sponsorship in someone else’s name, just complete the following HSBC Sponsorship Application and send it
along with a check for $115 to the HSBC; Cheryl McKenzie will then choose your sponsored feline and arrange for its vet care.
(Sponsorships make great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, or other special occasions.)
As a sponsor, you or the person you are honoring will receive a photo of the sponsored pet on a certificate of appreciation
while making a life-saving difference in the life of a special cat or kitten. For more information on purchasing a sponsorship,
please contact the HSBC at 989-893-0451 or send an email to humanesocietybaycounty.org .
Cheryl McKenzie, Foster Coordinator
HSBC Sponsorship Application
Yes, I want to make a life-saving difference in the life of one deserving cat!
Please send a check for $115, payable to the “Humane Society of Bay County” to: HSBC, PO Box 215, Bay City, MI
48707, with “Sponsor” noted on the check, along with this completed form:
Name _______________________________________Business (if applicable) _____________________________
Address _____________________________________City________________ State_____Zip Code____________
Email_____________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________
Signature _________________________________________________________
Date_____________________
This is a gift for (name) _____________________________________________________
I am unable to sponsor a foster pet at this time, but please accept my donation of $ _________ for the HSBC
Sponsorship/Foster Program.
I would like to stay informed on what is happening with HSBC. Please send me the HSBC e-newsletter at my email
address: _____________________________________
For more information on the HSBC Sponsorship Program, please contact 989-893-0451
or e-mail humanesocietybaycounty@gmail.com.
Thank you for helping a homeless feline in our community to find a forever home!
Foster Success Story: “Princess” Gracie
Fairytales begin with “Once upon a time” and often subject a beautiful
princess to hardship and trial before granting her happiness forever.
This is the story of a grey and white kitten born in the wild and lured
into a live trap set by some of our HSBC Trap-Neuter-Return volunteers.
Although to the kitten this experience must have seemed terrible at
the time, she was actually being rescued by the first of many fairy
godmothers who would transform her life. The volunteers took her
to a generous vet who checked her over and spayed her. From there,
she went to live temporarily with HSBC President Jeannie Nichols, who
named her Gracie. Jeannie cared for and fed her but was not able to
give Gracie the time necessary to socialize her. Then HSBC fostering
volunteer Sherry Nelson took Gracie in, and slowly the timid little feral
creature learned to enjoy human contact at Sherry’s home.
Meanwhile, not far away, a woman named Colleen, her husband, and
her three lovely teenaged daughters were talking of getting a companion
for their cat, Mystique, a tall black cat Colleen describes as “The Best Cat
Ever.” They had rescued Mystique a few months ago when she had been an
emaciated stray with eye infections. It did not take long for Mystique’s sweet
personality to emerge and for her to become a permanent part of their household,
which also includes a gentle lab mix named Maxine. As the humans discussed
Mystique’s future companion, the older daughter said that she would prefer a cat with
grey and white fur.
At work the following day, Colleen mentioned to Sherry her daughter’s desire for a
grey and white cat, and here is where the story takes on the magic of a fairy tale.
Sherry was delighted to suggest Gracie as a possible new addition to Colleen’s
family. Sherry told Colleen that the kitten might not be immediately approachable
and would need some patience before she accepted the family. Colleen was
amazed; her daughter expresses a wish, and that wish is granted the following day!
Not only that, but Gracie was sixteen weeks old, the same age as Mystique.
So Gracie entered Colleen’s family. As Sherry predicted, the new kitten at first hid
in corners or peeped at the family from behind an open door. Gracie always allowed
her new owners to hold her, but soon she started going up to them to ask for
affection. Now Gracie and Mystique frolic together without a care in the world, and
she mingles freely with the family instead of observing them from a distance.
Colleen says of Gracie, “She eats like a pig” and, “She is loved.” If Gracie could talk, she might tell us that she feels like a fairytale
princess rescued from an uncertain fate and magically spirited to
a life of warmth and love. Her story has many fairy godmothers
and the luck that gave her the grey and white coat her new family
wanted in their next cat. Gracie’s good fortune also depended
on the HSBC Trap-Neuter-Return program, in which volunteers
trap feral cats so that they can be sterilized and their kittens can
be socialized and adopted into good homes. Along the way, each
person who cared for Gracie gave her the courage to discard her
fears and become a playful and affectionate kitten. It is because of
this HSBC TNR program and the incredible volunteers who manage
it that Gracie will be indoors this winter, a great pet for a loving family
and a happy friend of “The Best Cat Ever.”
Sylvia Robins, Staff Writer
cie
"Princess" Gra
Temporary Foster Homes Needed For Adoptable Animals
The Humane Society of Bay County is seeking foster homes for adoptable animals, especially cats and kittens. Interested
individuals and families must fill out an application, be willing to have a home visit prior to
placement, provide food, water, litter, treats, etc., and be willing to pick up
and/or drop off animals at adoption events. The animals will have been
sterilized, vaccinated, dewormed and treated for fleas prior to fostering.
The HSBC will cover costs for vet care if needed.
Please contact Cheryl McKenzie, HSBC Foster Coordinator, for more
information (989) 893-0451 or email humanesocietybaycounty@gmail.com.
Open your heart and home to save the life of a homeless pet while it waits
to be adopted!
This adorable kitten is now
in a loving home after being
fostered by a HSBC volunteer.
Business Member Highlight
Innovative Media +Design
922 Washington Ave., Bay Cit y 48708
989-402-1199 w w w.imdesign.me
Kate Cardinali, owner
of Innovative Media
+ Design If you have visited the HSBC website lately, you
have seen that it has been completely redesigned
to make it more accessible, attractive and userfriendly. This website transformation was created
by Kate Cardinali and her staff at Innovative
Media + Design (IMD). In their own words, “We’re
an energetic company providing designs and
marketing solutions to companies of all sizes. Our
work is fresh, engaging, and innovative. We’re
dedicated to finding industry specific solutions that
will help deliver your brand message and support
your business. Choose us when you need to
engage customers and produce results.” IMD’s services include:
Identity Branding | Label Design & Web Design
Apparel & Promotional Products | Print Design & Purchasing
Business Analysis | Content Writing | Special Event Planning
Direct Mail Services | Photography & Video | Social Media & E-news
As the owner of Innovative Media + Design, Kate Cardinali is the leader of a strong team of
professionals – writers, designers, and programmers. She is also the active mother of three (under age
four) who still finds time to lend a supportive hand by volunteering for local non-profit organizations and
events. Contact Kate to learn ways to refresh what you are currently doing, and to help drive your business
or organization to the next level. Asked about her work on the HSBC website, Kate stated, “At IMD, we are
very passionate about animal rescue and the mission of HSBC. We were very excited to be involved in the
redevelopment of the Bay County Humane Society website.”
Leslie Prast
HSBC Toy and Bed Sales
Amount for sales of toys and beds,
Sept. 16 - December 15, 2014, is $893.28.
Visit one of these business locations to get your pet a
special toy or bed and support our Humane Society:
Catnip Toys Only:
Our Humane Society now has knitted dog sweaters for
sale. They are available with or without hoods and can
be made to order in your favorite colors. Also available
are lightweight fleece dog jackets.
All are reasonably priced at $8 - $16 depending on
the size. You can see these items at Humane Society
events. To place a special order,
please call Bonnie at 895-9750.
Thank You!!!
Bangor Township Hall
Bay Valley Animal Hospital
Clayton Cleaners
Monitor Township Hall
Villa Hair Studio
Zorn Animal Medical Center
Catnip & Dog Toys:
Keep Fido Warm this Winter!
Bay Farm Services (dog toys only)
Dirty Paws
Doggie Groom Shoppe
Valley Animal Clinic
Keep your dog
warm in a stylish
jacket this winter. CATNIP TOYS, KICKEROOS, CATNIP MICE,
CAT BLANKETS, DOG TOYS, DOG BANDANAS & DOGBEDS AVAILABLE AT:
Bay Animal Hospital
For more information, call Bonnie at 895-9750.
Humane Societ y Donation Banks
The Humane Society is lucky to have a group of
sewers and knitters who volunteer their talents
and, as a result, our sales table has a wide
variety of quality items for your pet. Thank you to
the following people for donating their time and
skills to benefit the animals in our community:
Mary Casault, Becky Diehl, Elaine Sheppard,
Sue Schwab, Marykay Plotnik, Kathey Gibson,
Judy Bristow, Nettie Rohde, Angela Van Hamlin.
Thank you also to Barb Bowes for delivering
catnip toys to local businesses and to Diane
Broadfoot for donating new material and thread
on a regular basis to help offset costs.
If you have basic sewing or knitting skills and
would be interested in helping to make items for
The Humane Society, please call Bonnie at 8959750. Donations of cotton material and thread
are always appreciated.
Bonnie Spegel, Sewing Coordinator
Visit one of these business locations to make a donation. Total collected from HSBC donation banks
from September 16 through December 15, 2014, is $3,258.45
Special thanks to Dick Arnold for visiting all the following businesses every month to collect this money
and to our other generous donors!
7/11 #83 Wilder
7/11 Food Store S. Euclid
7/11 Food Store Old Kawkawlin Rd.
7/11 Food Store N. Henry
Auburn Animal Pal
Auburn Cleaners
Bangor Twp. Offices
Bay City 8
Bay Clipper Barber Shop
Bay Farm Services Inc.
Beson’s Supermarket
Big Boy Center
Big Boy Euclid
Brissette’s 6-12
Bryden’s Electric
Cass Av. Party Store
Clayton Cleaners
Crystal Clear Creations
Duso’s Bar George’s Auto Repair
Green Hills Golf Course
Ideal Party Store
Intermission Deli
K&K State Park Grocery
KayBee’s K-9 Training
Kelly’s Kanine Parlor
KFC Bay Road
KFC Center
KFC Euclid KFC Three Mile
Klender Design
Kolka’s Corner Store
Layerer’s Pharmacy
Linwood Corner Restaurant
Messy Mutt’s Bath Boutique
Monitor Pharmacy
Morgan’s Auto Repair
Old Town Gym
Riverview Party Store
Soldan’s Feed & Pet Supply
St. Laurent Bros.
State Theatre
Still Tubby’s
Stock Pot Restaurant
Sudzy Puppy
Taco-Bell Wilder
The Barking Club
The Country House
The Doggie Groom Shoppe
The Rathskeller
Tuthill Bros Food Store
Vet-Med
Wanigan Eatery
Waterfront Market & Deli
Weiss Fruit Market
Yarn Supply
Business Members of HSBC
Animal Alley
Bangor Veterinary Clinic
Bay Animal Hospital
Bay Area Runner’s Club
Bay City Computer Guy
Bay City Foot Clinic
Bay City State Recreation Area
Becca’s Quilts & Crafts
Brissette’s 6-twelve
Buday, Dr. John
Country Rd. Kennels
Crusin’ Critter Care
Cumulus Media WKQZ Z93
Dirty Paws Pet Salon
Gatsby’s Saloon
7319 Tittabawasee Rd. #2
3917 N. Euclid
637 W. Center
P.O. Box 634
P.O. Box 1271
3592 Center Ave
3582 State Park Dr.
Every newsletter will highlight a business member!
Saginaw
Bay City
Essexville
Bay City
Bay City
Essexville
Bay City
Pinconning
717 N. Henry St.
Bay City
3588 Center Ave.
Essexville
6376 N. Portsmouth Rd.
Saginaw
5890 N. Huron Rd
Pinconning
1740 Champagne Drive N. Saginaw
1507 Columbus Ave.
Bay City
203 Center Ave.
Bay City
Gene & Bob’s Collision
Gypsies
Heritage Tattoo
Klender Design
Layerer’s Pharmacy
Messy Mutts Bath & Boutique
Morgan’s Auto Repair
Rahall, Dr. R. A.
Roberts, Lynn
Salvation Army
Shirts Mugs and More
State Farm Insurance
Tuthill Bros. Inc.
Two Men and a Truck
3656 Wheeler Rd.
510 Third
602 N. Euclid Ave.
3791 Wilder Rd.
1100 Columbus Ave.
3972 Patterson Rd.
800 Center Ave.
3210 E. Midland Road
1740 Champagne Dr. N.
401 Tenth Street
2728 Center Ave.
4359 Wilder Rd.
1315 Columbus Ave.
105 Garfield Ave
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Saginaw
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Bay City
Volunteer Profile: Susan Somer ville-Franz
Susan Somerville-Franz only moved to Bay City last August, but within a month she
had become the coordinator of our HSBC Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) Program for
feral cats! Although she was born in Saginaw, Susan has lived in many places,
including England; Miami, Florida; Petoskey; and the Caribbean, where she first
began working with colonies of feral cats.
Prior to moving to the Caribbean in 2007, Susan had only made brief visits there over
the previous five years, not knowing then that the island cats were in so much need.
Once she saw the huge numbers of feral cats needing help, Susan was determined
to rectify the situation. She began working with the local humane society to trap and
neuter colonies of feral cats that were then returned to their home sites. That was
when she learned the value of this approach to caring for feral cats. Susan says
that one of her happiest times was when she began a Trap, Neuter Return effort for
over fifty cats and kittens that were unsterilized, some old, and some sickly, living
on the five-acre property of her condominium complex in the Caribbean. It was a
challenging and daunting task, but satisfying, to help the little creatures live a proper
life, receiving care as a colony of feral cats. Years later, Susan returned to Michigan, sadly leaving
what by then had been a colony she felt very close to, in the hands of three people who loved and helped to care for
them. She still stays in touch with these three people and enjoys updates on “her” cat colony.
From her experience working with TNR programs, Susan describes the benefits as similar to a web that spins itself out
from one central practice to several positive results. There is the obvious advantage of reducing the number of cats that
are killed each year, as well as the reduction in feral cat populations over time. Also, cats that are not searching for
mates are less noisy and less prone to fight and injure each other, thus reducing the number of complaint calls to animal
control authorities. That, in turn, may persuade some people to look more favorably on having feral cats around and on
being more willing to care for them. When the kittens that are trapped are socialized and adopted, the problem of feral
and unwanted cats diminishes. There is also, of course, an improvement in the health and security of the cat colonies
that are monitored and cared for by willing individuals. Susan describes TNR as a win-win situation for all involved.
To continue our TNR program successfully, Susan would like to see more cooperation between the Humane Society
and Bay County Animal Control. She hopes that someday Animal Control officers will contact the Humane Society
whenever feral cats are brought into their facility so we can help them. She would also like to see more volunteers
trained to trap feral cats and to carry out the many tasks involved in this effort. Right now, every cat that is trapped is
recorded by means of a photograph, a written description, and a note of the location that is its home. As the program
grows, simply maintaining these records will be a challenging task.
With a pragmatic, experienced leader like Susan, the HSBC TNR program can only continue to succeed. It is
not without difficulties, and obstacles can rise up without warning, but our TNR program has many enthusiastic
supporters and will surely attract more volunteers as word spreads. Susan expresses admiration for the people
who now give their time to the program because they are compassionate, resourceful, and extremely hardworking.
Their encouragement must in large part come from Susan’s leadership as well as knowing that the help they give to
community cats will benefit not only the ferals but our entire community in multiple ways.
Sylvia Robins, Staff Writer
Donations and Memorials
September 16, 2014 – December 15, 2014
In Loving Memory...
Lois Anton:
Kay Napora
Cara Ball
Turner Broughton:
Bay Area Catholic Schools
Beverly Daeschlein:
Warren & Norma Klender
Diane Dishaw:
Doug & Janet Cote
Norman Griggs:
Brenda Mahoney
Jacqueline & Peter Vetters
Ruth Kelly:
Michael & Susan Toth
Nancy Lewis:
Helen & Paul Drzyzga
Debra Gilbert
Gordon & Eileen Lange
Harry Lewis
Robert & Cheryl McShane
E. Lawrence Rosenberg
Josephine Trapp:
William & Arlene Holsinger
Jerry Lupcke:
Dennis & Julie Barthel
Jason & Theresa Dore
Larry & Sally Duchane
Joe & Paulette Gillman
Diana Gordon
Rosalie Horstman
Amy Kohlhepp
John & Marilyn Len
Suzette & Michael Page
Helen Peters
Tom & Tammy Rau
Heather Ruckman
Shirley Trestrail
Richard Wahr
Mary Jane Williams
Jim Wisneski
Margerie Ward:
Scott & Julie Baker
Keith Zaplitny:
Sheffield Bay, LLC
Moses (aka Moser Doser):
Tacie Gorney
Ben Seymour:
Eileen Seymour
Kay Frances Thompson:
Sherry Nelson
Donations...
Donations:
AT&T Employee Giving Campaign
Susan Bauer
Home Depot Matching Gift
Jeff Jozwiak
Mary Matuszewski
Christopher Pinter
Staci Steffek (Delta)
Erika Trapp
Wanigas Credit Union
Janet & Ronald Witucki
Foster Cats:
Diana Broadfoot
Home Depot, John Reid
Meijer, Essexville
Leslie Prast
Richard Westenburg, Sr.
Eleanor Butzin
Michael Halstead
No Kill Campaign:
Sarah Smith
Building Campaign:
Thomas Bukowski
Commemorate an event in your life with a donation to the Humane Society
To make a donation, please complete the information listed below. Mail form and check to :
Humane Society of Bay County, Inc, PO Box 215, Bay City, MI 48707
NAME: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________ PHONE: _________________________________________
In Memory of: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
In the Name of: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Comments: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Financial Corner
Fourth Quarter 2014
(September 1 through December 15, 2014)
INCOMING SUPPORT
Donations
Donation Banks
Bequests
Fundraising
Membership
Foster Program
Trap Neuter Return
Education
Total Public Support $ 3,262.63
$ 4,331.89
$ 2,165.00
$ 4,279.78
$
505.00
$ 10,277.28
$
0.00
$
0.00
$ 24,821.58
OUTGOING SUPPORT
Spay/Neuter Rebates $ 800.00
Shelter Adoption Rebates
$ 705.00
Community Outreach
$ 2,766.78
Bay County Animal Control $ 755.75
Operational Expenses $ 496.20
Fundraising Expenses
$ 1,371.56
Membership Expenses
$ 496.20
Dog Park Expenses
$
9.95
Foster Program
$23,993.21
Trap Neuter Return
$ 8,764.29
Education
$
79.60
Total Outgoing
$40,238.54
Ads Being Accepted
for Newsletter
Our Animal Tales newsletter is read by well
over 400 people. Please consider placing
a small ad in our next newsletter for your
business or for an item you wish to sell. We
are asking that you send in a donation for
your ad. Be sure to include your contact
information!
Legislation Update:
Good News for Michigan Wolves: In the 2014 fall
elections Michigan voters repealed two pro-wolf hunting
measures, Proposals 1 and 2, by wide margins! These
dangerous laws would have established a trophy hunting
season on the state’s fragile wolf population and stripped
voters’ right to have a say on wildlife issues, including the
wolf hunt. Not only is this a win for wolves in Michigan, it
is a win for all of our nation’s wolves -- this was the first
statewide vote on wolf hunting in any state since wolves
were stripped of their federal protections.
Upcoming Federal Legislation: Please make a brief,
polite phone call to our Congressional representatives, Rep.
Dan Kildee (202-225-3611) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow
(202-224-4822) to ask them to support the following bills:
Battle Excellence through Superior Training
(“BEST”) Practices Act (H.R. 3172/S.1550). This
bill would require the use of human-based training
methods and phase out the use of live goats and
pigs to train military personnel to respond to combat
trauma injuries. Advancements in technology make
the current techniques ineffective and unnecessary,
in addition to causing needless suffering in
countless animals.
H.R. 4148, which prohibits animal testing for
cosmetics manufactured or sold in the U.S., ending
painful tests that rabbits, mice, rats, and guinea
pigs endure to assess the safety of cosmetics.
Humane and safe cosmetics can be made using the
thousands of existing ingredients, and several nonanimal safety tests are already available for new
ingredients. These non-animal alternatives can be
cheaper, faster, and more relevant to humans, and
therefore more reliable at predicting safety. Help
make animal testing of cosmetics in the U.S. a thing
of the past -- just like in the European Union and
Israel, where cosmetics animal testing has already
been phased out.
2015 Humane Societ y Board of Directors
Jeannie Wolicki-Nichols, President
Marykay Plotnik & Dee Bishop,
Co-Vice Presidents
Judy Fletcher, Treasurer
Sandy Wahr, Secretary
Sherrie Anderson
Sherry Felske
Cheryl McKenzie
Stephanie Guerrero
All About Animals Rescue
23451 Pinewood
Warren, MI 48091
1-888-577-2943
www.allaboutanimalsrescue.org
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program
PO Box 215, Bay City, MI 48707
1- 989-397-5783
fixyourpets@humanesocietybc.org
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program Information
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program Information
The
Society
of Bay
County
with
AllInc.
About
Rescue,
The Humane
Humane Society
of Bay County
partners
with Allpartners
About Animals
Rescue,
(AAAR)Animals
in Warren, Michigan,
to Inc.
provide a in
low-cost
sterilization
program to east
central Michigan.
To make ansterilization
appointment for the
next available
(AAAR)
Warren,
Michigan,
to provide
a low-cost
program
to east
Bay City transport, pet owners call AAAR directly at 1-888-577-2943 or go to http://www.allaboutanimalsrescue.org/
central
Michigan. To make an appointment for the next available Bay City
veterinary-services/request-spay-or-neuter-appointment/request-a-transport-can-for-spayneuter-or-a-dental-cleaning/
transport, pet owners call AAAR directly at 1-888-577-2943 or go to
Here is how the process works:
http://www.allaboutanimalsrescue.org/veterinary-services/request-spay-or Twice a month AAAR sends a specially equipped truck to Bay City to transport registered animals to their clinic
neuter-appointment/request-a-transport-van-for-spayneuter-or-a-dentalin Warren for surgery and other services.
cleaning/
The AAAR truck arrives at Tractor Supply, 2886 E. Wilder Road, Bay City, at around 6:30 a.m. on transport day
and returns the animals after surgery the next morning at around 10 a.m. to Tractor Supply.
owners
payprocess
the requiredworks:
surgery fees ($10-$40 for cats, $80 for dogs) in cash or by major credit/debit card
Here isPet
how
the
(no checks), plus charges for additional services, if desired, when they bring their animal to the transport.
� Twice a month AAAR sends a specially equipped truck to Bay City to
Dogs must be on a leash, pet cats must be in a cat carrier, and feral/barn/stray cats must be in a live trap.
transport registered animals to their clinic in Warren for surgery and
The animals can have no food after midnight the night before the transport, but water is permitted.
other services.
The animals
have thearrives
surgery atat
theTractor
AAAR clinicSupply,
the same day
they E.
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stay overnight
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at the clinic to be checked before being returned to Tractor Supply in Bay City the next morning.
at around 6:30 a.m. on transport day and returns the animals after
To make
an appointment,
go to http://www.allaboutanimalsrescue.org/veterinary-services/request-spay-or-neutersurgery
the next
morning at around 10 a.m. to Tractor Supply.
appointment/request-a-transport-can-for-spayneuter-or-a-dental-cleaning/ or call AAAR at 1-888-577-2943 and ask for
� Pet owners pay the required surgery fees ($10-$40 for cats, $80 for dogs)
the next available Bay City transport.
in cash or by major credit/debit card (no checks), plus charges for
additional services, if desired, when they bring their animal to the
transport.
� Dogs must be on a leash, pet cats must be in a cat carrier, and
“We
recycle cats
love!
Adopt
feral/barn/stray
must be
in a live trap.
� The animals can have no food after midnight the night before the
a friend for life.”
transport, but water is permitted.
Idaho Humane Society
H E L P WA N T E D !
Pet lovers to support the work of the HSBC by volunteering in our programs,
projects and activities. No qualifications needed, except the desire to
support the work of the HSBC in our mission to save, protect and
enhance the lives of animals in Bay County. To volunteer, please
see our website, www.humanesocietybaycounty.org, call
989-893-0451, or fill out and mail the application below to Humane
Society of Bay County, PO Box 215, Bay City, MI 48707. Thank you!
HSBC Volunteer Application
First Name: __________________________________ Last Name:_________________________________________
Street__________________________________________________ City__________________________ Zip_________
Home Phone: _____________________________
Cell Phone: _____________________________
E-mail Address: _______________________ _____________________________________________
What is the best way to contact you? q Home Phone q Cell Phone q E-mail
Current Occupation: _____________________________________
Are you 18 years or over? q Yes q No
I’d like to help in the following areas: (please check)
ANIMALS:
WORK FROM HOME:
q Sponsor a pet to increase their chance of being adopted
q Provide a temporary foster home for a pet until it is adopted
q Clean the cages of our adoptable pets at Pet Supplies Plus
q Assist with publicity/public relations
q Answer HSBC voicemail messages
q Help with computer needs
q Create fliers and signs
q Write grants
q Assist with HS mailings
and Soldan’s
q Transport animals to events and veterinarians
q Groom animals if needed
q Manage animals at adoption events
q Photograph adoptable animals for social media
FUNDRAISING:
q Sew, knit or crochet items for our sales table (patterns and
materials supplied)
q Bake treats (for humans or pets) for our sales table at events
q Organize a can drive for the foster program
q Serve on a committee to create & implement fundraising
projects
q Work on our annual events: Canines, Cats and Cupids Gala
in Feb.; Strut Your Mutt Walk in the spring; Art Fair in the
summer; Holiday Santa Pet Photos in December
EVENTS:
q Set up and take down displays, tables, tents, sales items
q Transport items from/to our storage shed
q Work at the sales/information table or animal adoption events
ASSIST WITH ANIMAL-RELATED COMMUNITY ISSUES:
q Pick up and deliver pet food and litter to the Pet Food Pantry
at Salvation Army
q Join a HS committee to manage the feral & stray cats in our
community
q Support a No Kill Shelter operated by the Humane Society of
Bay County
WORK WITH JR. MEMBERS OF THE HS:
q Develop projects for their involvement with the HS
HUMANE SOCIETY OF BAY COUNTY, INC
PO Box 215
Bay City, MI 48707
Return Service Requested
Humane Societ y of Bay
Count y Mission
Mission
The Humane Society of Bay County was formed in November 1984 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized
a need within our community. Since that time, this organization has acted as the animal advocate in our community.
Your support continues to be our inspiration as we look forward to a future of improved welfare for all animals.
Mission: The Mission of the Humane Society of Bay County is to save, protect
and enhance the lives of animals in Bay County.
Vision of the future: The Humane Society of Bay County is the community’s
resource organization for saving animals and looks to a future no-kill shelter.
Values: All animals’ lives are valued - No Kill Shelter for Adoptable Animals
- Affordable/Free Spay and Neutering Program - Educational Programs at all
levels throughout Bay County
Meetings are open to the public and are held at 6:30 p.m., on the third Thursday of each month in the Bangor
Township Recreation Hall, 180 State Park Dr., Bay City, Michigan.
Please join us!