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.” 2 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 3 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 4 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 6 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 7 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 9 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. areWilder transportedRoad, and thenBay stay overnight � The AAARwilltruck 2886 City, 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!