volunteer newsletter - SPCA of Southwest Michigan

SPCA of SW Michigan
July 30, 2012/Issue 192
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
August 4th:
August 11th:
August 18th:
Rescue Center: 11 am - 4pm
Oak Ridge Feed: 11 am - 3 pm
Rescue Center: 11 am - 4 pm
Petco: 11 am - 3 pm
Rescue Center: 11 am - 4 pm
PetSmart: 11 am -3 pm
Come Check Out Our New Adoption Site Now!
Open Every Friday From 5 pm - 7 pm, 336 S. Kalamazoo Mall (next to MLIVE).
Pet of the Week
By Holly Casteel
Today’s pet of the
week is Missy.
Missy has been up
for adoption for
quite a few years
now and is more
than ready to find
her forever home.
She is a very sweet
girl and would
make a great
addition to any
household. Missy is
a little older at
around 6 years old, but don’t let that fool you.
There are many advantages to adopting a cat
such as Missy.
One advantage to adopting a cat like Missy is
their set-in personality. A kitten’s personality
changes over time as they grow so you’re never
really sure what they will be like later in life.
An adult cat’s personality is pretty much set
so you have a better idea of how they will act
years from now. Another advantage to choosing
an adult cat is they are a lot less hyperactive
than kittens. Kittens are extremely playful and
curious, and often that curiosity causes them to
get into things that they really should not
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
be getting into. An adult cat, like Missy, is still
very playful but less likely to get into constant
trouble. An adult cat might also be a better
choice for an older adult who would love the
companionship of a pet but needs one who is a
little calmer.
Whether it is a cat or a kitten, there are many
wonderful cats at the SPCA who need loving
forever homes. Stop by Kitty City and take a
look around. Your next best friend might just be
there waiting for you.
GOLF OUTING FUNDRAISER
Don’t forget our golf
outing fundraiser
with WNWN (WIN
98.5) on Saturday,
August 25th. We are
still looking for $50
hole sponsors and
teams to play. $47
per person gets you
18 holes of golf, a
cart, and catered lunch. The entire hole
sponsorship and $5 for each golfer comes to the
SPCA. Information flyers are attached. Contact
Jane King (king@spcaswmich.org) or Nancy
McKinney (nancygail50@gmail.com) for more
information.
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
July 30, 2012
Page 2
KBE Fundraiser
One of our most successful
fundraisers in 2011 was with
Kalamazoo Beer Exchange
in downtown Kalamazoo.
Owner Jim Flora generously
pledged 25% of the days
food and beverage sales to
the SPCA and gave us space for an information
table in the front lobby. We’ll be doing another
KBE fundraiser on Thursday, September 13th,
and we hope to do even better. Please be sure
to tell your friends and family, post on Facebook
and Twitter, take flyers to distribute at our
upcoming off-site events, and join other SPCA
supporters in enjoying a wonderful meal. Jim
has made it easy on us because no coupon is
required - we just need to spread the word!
Contact Drew Marshall for more information at
drewlydiamarshall@gmail.com.
Shop for a Cause
On Saturday, August 25th,
Macy’s will host its seventh
annual Shop for a Cause
benefiting charities nationwide.
The shelter will be selling
shopping passes for $5 each and
we keep 100% of the proceeds.
shelter and at upcoming events. Contact Pat
Rose at Rose3713@sbcglobal.net if you can help
sell the passes or if you have any questions
about them.
Thank You!!
A big “Thank You!” goes out to the participants
at the 4th Annual Dam Cornhole Tournament
in Union City. “Cornhole” is a very competitive
bean-bag toss game and this year the proceeds
from entry fees and raffle tickets were split
between two charities, the SPCA being one of
them. We received $700 cash and the entrants
were encouraged to bring supplies from our
wish list to earn additional raffle tickets. They
were very generous and we had a carload of
kitty litter, Hills Science Diet Food, copy paper,
toys, treats, brooms, and many other items
needed at the rescue center.
Alexandra Corey celebrated her 10th birthday
by having her friends bring gifts for the SPCA
instead of gifts for her. She had fun seeing
what “presents” she got to help the shelter and
her friends had fun picking out the items.
When you Shop for a Cause on Saturday, August
25th, you will receive 25% off* on regular, sale
and clearance merchandise, including designer
brands you love, throughout the store. Also
save 10% on electronics, watches, furniture, and
rugs/floor coverings. This pass is good all day –
not for just one item. And, you will be eligible to
win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary.
* Exclusions and restrictions apply. See shopping
pass for details.
Please ask friends, relatives and people at work
to buy a shopping pass; it’s a win-win situation
for everyone. Passes will be available at the
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
July 30, 2012
Page 3
The volunteer team at Dog Romp was extraordinary! The event
could not have occurred without your valuable contributions.
From marketing before the event, to the kennel staff who
prepared the dogs for their trip to the city, to the office
volunteers who matched drivers and dogs for safe transport,
all the components it takes to put on an event were covered by
our exceptional volunteers. The Arcadia Team who intercepted
the shuttled dogs and walked them through the park enjoyed
showcasing them for our visitors. It was like the runway at the
Oscars with all shapes and sizes of canine companions enjoying their day in the city. Shuttle services
were provided by volunteer tailgates, mini-vans and back seats; talk about family fun!
All the event areas had great coverage with SPCA experienced volunteers plus groups
from the community to share their time and talent for this important fundraiser and
community outreach to our neighbors. The contributions by all the caring individuals
were vital to the success of the event.
There were teams pulling together details on Friday night with set-up after hours and
at day break on Saturday preparing the site for the arrival of our volunteers, guests,
and all the dogs. The MRC team kept us looking smart. Subway and Kelloggs kept
the volunteers fed, Gun Lake Casino provided shirts for the volunteers as part of their
major sponsorship for the event; we appreciate everyones support to hold such an
important fundraiser for our shelter.
The visiting pet families, including many SPCA dogs, enjoyed the smiles and service by volunteer
groups including Pfizer, Best Buy Mobile, ECCU credit union, Target, Gun Lake Casino, WMU ESL group
of international students, and Ross Medical. The talent and generous hearts in our community make
the SPCA of SWMI a strong resource for rescued cats and dogs. As a major fundraiser we are grateful to
the community for their full support on one of the nicest days in July 2012. We were thrilled to adopt
several dogs at Arcadia and look forward to many more at the KL Avenue Rescue Center as a result of
the event on July 21st.
Salute to everyone who gave their time and talent for a successful Dog Romp!
MANY more photos to be posted this week on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/spcaswmich.
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
July 30, 2012
Page 4
Darla
Submitted by: Cristina Miller
We adopted Moose (she was Darla at the SPCA)
in August 2010. She just turned 2 years old and
she is loving life! I cannot begin to express the
joy this little one has brought to our lives.
Cottonelle
Submitted by: Raechel Scholz
I adopted
Cottonelle on June
7th, 2012 and I
wanted you all to
know that we
couldn’t be
happier! He fit
right in (with the
family, Ike, our
other dog, Pierre,
our cat, my
extended family
and friends, and
their pets). He has
the best
personality. He’s
really sweet and wants to please but at the
same time he’s a frisky little adventurous
puppy (which was what we wanted!).
He has already conquered swimming (as you
can see in this picture. He’s with our other dog,
Ike, who we adopted from you guys about
3 years ago.) His feet are very big and very
webbed so I assume swimming will be a life
time love of his.
Ike and I run a lot and Cottonelle (now named
Roman) has even gone with us for (continued)
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
July 30, 2012
Page 5
about three-tenths of a mile (for the safety of
his little puppy paws).
I am very grateful to have a place to find great
dogs. I can tell you guys took very good care
of him. He was happy the second I got him. He
was grateful for any attention we gave him but
didn’t beg for it. He also knew how to walk on a
leash! I just wanted to say thank you!
Link
Submitted by: Caryne Hanson
HI! Just want
to share
with you our
new family
member
Stanley,
’Stan, the
man’!
He came
to us from
a hoarder
situation of 73 dogs. He lived in a cage with
two other dogs and only came out for breeding
purposes. He was scared of people and things.
then that if I didn’t take him, nobody would or
if they did, only to return him again. He needed
SO much patience and love!!!!
Stanley has been
with us since
February. It was a
slow start, but we
are happy to say that
he is housebroke,
very cuddly, and
lovable. Although
he adores ME, he still
has issues with men
and the ‘come’
command. He comes to you on HIS terms,
(when he doesn’t feel threatened) and it gets
better every day.
He wiggles, grins, and prances when he’s happy.
He barks only when Isabelle (our other dog)
barks. Although it’s more of an old man’s gruff
(deep wuuf! Its hysterical!). Many have said that
I am very fortunate to not have a yappy barking
chihuahua!
SPCA rescued him in April 2011 when he was
2.5 years old. He had been adopted twice only
to be returned because he would not, or could
not warm up to his new owners. They said he
nipped at people and they could not get him
house broke.
I started volunteering for SPCA in October 2011.
When I saw how forlorn he was, I had to do
something to get him to trust me. He shook and
cowered when ever anyone spoke to him from
outside his cage, including me. It was at that
point that I decided to be more aggressive. I
would sit on the floor of his cage, with him in his
bed for the two hours I had there, in hopes that
he would come around. He did some, but not
enough to take him to adoption events. I knew
SPCA of SWMI
6955 West KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Here he is in his car seat. He LOVES rides. Cars
and boats are, so far, his favorite.
Hope you enjoyed my little man as much as I
enjoyed sharing.....
(269) 344-1474
www.spcaswmich.org
info@spcaswmich.org
SPCA Volunteer Newsletter
July 30, 2012
Page 6
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
Aug 5th
Foster Orientation
Become a foster
dogfoster@spcaswmich.org
1st Tues 6 pm - 7 pm
Aug 7th
Animal Care
Quality of shelter time
animal.svcs@spcaswmich.org
1st Wed 6 pm
Aug 1st
Fundraising
Revenue projects
fundraising@spcaswmich.org
2nd Mon Tentative
Ad Hoc
Marketing/Media Sub-Com
Get the word out
fundraising@spcaswmich.org
3rd Tues 6 pm
Aug 21st
Volunteer Recruitment
Involving volunteers
volunteer@spcaswmich.org
4th Tues 6 pm
Aug 28th
Grants - Research/Write Sub-Com
Grant revenue
grants@spcaswmich.org
As Needed
Ad Hoc
Financial
Tracking numbers
kaylav@spcaswmich.org
Medical Transport
Wagging tail taxi
vet.transport@spcaswmich.org
Approval, tracking & support
Marketing, social media
At RC or events@spcaswmich.org
As Needed
Event Submit Form
New Idea
ADOPTIONS - THANKS TO YOU!
CATS: Adam, Ajax, Alice, Alison, Alpena, Amber, Amelga, Gaston, Hans
DOGS: Andi, Belinda, Brewski, Charla, Dorris, Gizmo, Jazzie, Johnny, Lucky, Melody,
Poncho, Sign, Sigoring, Speedo, Teddy Bear, Uno
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