support those who support spca swmi

SPCA of SW Michigan
SPCA
of Southwest Michigan
April 9, 2012/Issue 184
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
The SPCA is a non-profit animal rescue group based in Southwest Michigan. Thanks to volunteers like you,
we have rescued over 11,000 dogs, cats, puppies & kittens since we started in 2002!
*** UPCOMING ADOPTION EVENTS ***
Subject to Change As Needed
April 14th:
April 21st:
April 28th:
Rescue Center: 11 am - 4 pm
Petco: 11 am - 3 pm
Rescue Center: 11 am - 4 pm
K-zoo Mall Plaza: 11 am - 3 pm
Rescue Center: 11 am - 4 pm
Petsmart: 11 am - 3 pm
SolSpring: 11 am - 3 pm
SUPPORT THOSE WHO
SUPPORT SPCA SWMI
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood
around the SPCA, and we are fortunate to have
the support of local businesses who support
our mission.
On Saturday, April 28th,
we’ll help Sol Spring
celebrate its Third
Anniversary Open
House. Sol Spring,
located at 6350 West
KL Avenue, is a spa and wellness center that
offers a variety of services including facials,
sauna, massage, acupuncture, and much more.
SPCA representatives will be on hand from
11 am - 3 pm with adoptable dogs and to
provide information about the SPCA. Vouchers
for discounts on selected services are available
at the rescue center front desk. Take time
to stop by to visit one of Kalamazoo’s most
unique businesses.
Just around the corner
from the rescue center is
ECCU (Educational
Community Credit Union)
at 1551 S. 9th Street. ECCU
will be a sponsor of the 5K
Doggie Dash scheduled
for Saturday, May 19th.
ECCU employees have been generous donors
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
of supplies for the dogs and cats. We’re
looking forward to seeing some of the ECCU
employees “dashing” with us on the 19th!
We thank these friends of the SPCA for helping
us provide for the dogs and cats entrusted
to our care and look forward to future
collaborations.
Camp Critter Here We Come!
We’re off to the downtown Kalamazoo Mall
again. Camp Critter offered to chauffeur our
dogs to Home Décor on April 21st for an
adoption event. Our dogs get to ride in luxury
and all we have to do is meet them at the
mall. How easy is that? Please feel free to join
us. The event is from 11 am - 3 pm. The more
dog walkers the better for everyone. Contact
nancygail50@gmail.com or just show up.
There’s shopping too!
UPDATE - PSP Toe Nail Trimming
We are having a
little difficulty
getting Toe Nail
Tuesday off and
running at Pets
Supplies Plus.
They have a lot
of merchandise in their store and we are trying
to find an area to do trimming. We will keep
everyone updated. Stay tuned; manicures and
pedicures will happen.
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
April 9, 2012
Page 2
On Your MARK, GET SET, GO!!
Looks like spring is
finally here to stay.
Time to lace up
your sneakers,
gather your friends,
family, and dog
and begin training
for the 2nd Annual
Doggie Dash 5K on
May 19th at
Hidden Hills Apartments off KL Ave. Cost is $15
for adults and includes a t-shirt or $20 for adult
and dog (t-shirt and bandana for the dog).
Children under 10 are free with a paid adult. This
year we will have trophies, plaques, and
ribbons for the first few human and canine
finishers. There are several categories based on
age and dog size. The deadline to enter and
receive t-shirts/bandanas is April 29th so
download the attached registration or pick one
up at the rescue center soon!
Running not your thing? COME VOLUNTEER!
If you haven’t signed up to run in the event,
there are other ways you can get involved
and help care for the animals at the Rescue
Center until they find their forever families.
Please consider volunteering for 1 - 2 hours
at this fundraising event held on May 19th.
Some volunteer positions we need filled are:
help set up for the event, staff the registration
table, spotters at the finish line, individuals
to pass out SPCA materials during the event,
clean-up crew, and other miscellaneous items.
To volunteer or obtain additional information
please contact Brenda Panone at
brendaone@charter.net and place “5K Doggie
Dash” in the Subject Line of your e-mail. Thank
you to all of our spectacular volunteers who
make saving these animals’ lives possible!!!
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Woofstock Announcement
SAVE THE DATE - July 21st, 2012 for a Doggone
Good Time.
Woofstock is a great event that takes significant
financial and labor resources. The sponsorship
threshold was not met by the deadline. Rather
than scale down Woofstock Fest, we are
choosing to go to a bi-annual schedule. That
way we protect our “Woofstock” brand and can
prepare for a “knock their socks off” level event
for Woofstock 2013.
You still need to save the date July 21st, 2012 –
here’s why! On that date, instead of Woofstock,
we are hoping to hold an alternative event at the
Arcadia Festival site. We’ll share details once we
have confirmed sponsorship for an event.
Pfizer Helps Promote
SPCA-SWMI’s Animal Rescue Mission
The professional association Michigan AALAS
held its general membership meeting at Pfizer
April 5. At the request of Pfizer animal health
scientists, our operations manager, Katie
Meskil, was a featured speaker at the event following nationally-renowned veterinarians!
Through a slide presentation, Katie discussed
the animal rescue network and the specific
role played by SPCA-SWMI, our protocols and
processes, our financial needs, and volunteer
opportunities. There were many positive
questions and expressions of support for the
work done by SPCA-SWMI. The conference was
attended by animal health professionals from
across Michigan, and Katie encouraged them to
donate their veterinary expertise to their local
shelters.
Being featured in this way is a unique honor
and we are grateful to Katie for representing
our mission so well.
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
April 9, 2012
Page 3
WMU RENT-A-PUP A SUCCESS
The morning of April 3rd started out dark, stormy, and cold; but the SPCA volunteers and WMU
students were undaunted as we loaded ten very enthusiastic dogs, along with extra blankets and
towels, for the spring Rent-A-Pup event at WMU Goldsworth Valley Pond. More students greeted us at
the Pavilion. Before long RAP was in full swing. For a donation of $5 for 30 minutes, students eagerly
spent time walking, playing, cuddling, and giving lots of TLC to our adorable canines. After what
turned into a wonderful, sunny afternoon; the dogs returned a bit muddier, but happy, pleasantly
exhausted, and ready for dinner and a good nap.
Thanks to SPCA volunteers: Barb, Tom, Dan, Tyler, Jessie, Vicki, Rob, and Denise. Also thank you to the
WMU student coordinators, Vanessa, James, and all the students who made RAP a success!
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
April 9, 2012
Page 4
I adopted Odie. But let me say (and my vet
verified for you) that my dogs have a great life.
Each one knows that he or she is well-loved.
Odie & Trillion
Submitted by: Laura Cozl
Jelly Bean (Trillion) and Huggy (Odie) are best
friends. They love to wrestle and chase each
other around. Right now they are sleeping next
to me on the couch, curled up against each
other. They also sleep on the bed, with Huggy
burrowing down inside the covers every night
next to me.
They have crates right next to each other in my
bedroom and they are never crated unless I’m
not home. I am never gone from home more
than a limited amount of hours. And then the
dogs have free run of my house. My property
is fenced and the dogs go in and out as they
please. They have plenty of toys and treats and
love. They also get walked regularly at a nearby
place, KRV trail or Kal Haven. And they both love
to ride in the car.
Hello SPCA of SWMI! I send updates and photos
to the breeders of my dogs and since I own two
SPCA dogs, I thought I should also include you
and write you a proper update.
Because I know you’ve seen so many dogs come
and go, I hate to point out my two because you
probably don’t even remember them. But I’m
still writing, because if nothing else you’ll know
that two of your dogs are happy and healthy and
having a great time.
I mention Evelyn, because she was the one
responsible for OK’ing me to adopt “Odie” the
pug 1.5 years ago. She was also kind enough to
email me since then acknowledging my previous
update on him.
I also previously adopted “Trillion” who was a
boxer, sharpei puppy four years ago. I do own
several dogs - which I know was a concern when
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
I’m thinking of putting Jelly Bean into agility
classes. She would make a great agility
competitor. She’s fat - flexible and agile. We may
start in 2012. As for Huggy - everyone loves him.
He is so friendly and funny that he charms every
person he meets. Huggy and I go to the Kzoo
pug meet ups. He’s happy to go anywhere. The
other day he actually told me he wanted to go
somewhere. For the first time he came to me
then ran to the door and looked up at his leash,
looked to me and then jumped at the door. He’d
never done that before. So, of course, I put him
in the car and we drove to the trail for a week.
I hope this update again reassures you that
these two dogs of yours are enjoying a great
life. Huggy loves it here and Jelly Bean doesn’t
remember life before here since she was a young
puppy when she was adopted.
I’ll send you an update every Christmas.
Hopefully it will serve as a thank you and
reminder of the good work you do and the
success stories that result from your efforts.
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
April 9, 2012
Page 5
GET INVOLVED - MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Everyone welcome. Email contacts for more info or to share ideas - Subject to Change As Needed
WHEN at RC:
NEXT:
WHAT:
WHY:
WHO to contact:
1st Sun 2 pm
May 6th
Foster Orientation
Become a foster
nancygail50@gmail.com
1st Tues 6 pm - 7 pm
Apr 10th
Animal Care
Quality of shelter time
operations@spcaswmich.org
1st Wed 6 pm
May 2nd
Fund Raising
Revenue projects
king@spcaswmich.org
2nd Mon Tentative
Ad Hoc
Marketing/Media Sub-Com
Get the word out
britt.drew@hotmail.com
3rd Tues 6 pm
Apr 17th
Volunteer Recruitment
Involving volunteers
eby@spcaswmich.org
4th Tues 6 pm
Apr 24th
Grants - Research/Write Sub-Com
Grant revenue
haaseal@gmail.com
As Needed
Ad Hoc
Financial
Tracking numbers
kaylav@spcaswmich.org
As Needed
Medical Transport
Event Submit Form
New Idea
poc753@yahoo.com
Approval, tracking & support
Marketing, social media
At RC or king@spcaswmich.org
ADOPTIONS - THANKS TO YOU!
CATS: Bayberry, Boris, Cleveland, Gadget, Lena, Mel, Raspberry
DOGS: Benita, Bonnie, Chance, Dock, Dolly, Graham, Hogie, Leah, Lily, Marcie,
Nacho, PB, Peanut, Peony, Praline, River, Simone, Skittles, Zeno
Thank you for opening your hearts and your homes to these animals! See all our
adoptable dogs, cats, puppies & kittens at www.spcaswmich.org. Click on the link to
view adoptable cats or view adoptable dogs.
~ Please send Volunteer Newsletter submissions to Jess Baker @ volunteer_newsletter@spcaswmich.org.
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org