animal
TRIBUNE
Fall/Winter 2015 Edition
Portraits by Hilary Running
animal
TRIBUNE an extension of the Coulee Region Humane Society
Animal Care & Humane & Animal Control Officers Adoption Counseling Brad Aden Carissa Faas Katie Knox Melissa Lynch Kelly Metzger Krissy Mickelson Holly Sauer Ginny Schetter Holly Barnes Ariel VanCura Cahoon Jasmine Dunn Theresa Morey Bailey Brown Taylor Bailey Caitie Mayer
Maintenance & Finance David Collins Brian Mansky
Board of Directors Sarah Fortune, President Bill Soper, Vice-President Monica Redmond, Secretary Jay Jaehnke, Treasurer Pat Caffrey Sister Helen Deppe Tony Roberts Judy Rusch Dr. Nichole Meisch Kate Suskey
Howie Wiedman Heather Konichek
Dog Training Instructor Shirley Richards
Program Managers & Administration Heather Hankins, Executive Director Amber Grosch, Kennel Operations Manager Kathy KasaKaitas, Animal Control Supervisor Samantha Luhmann, Community Outreach Coordinator Megan Krueger, Volunteer Coordinator Mikaela Powers, Customer Relations Manager Erin Olson, Pet Therapy & Education Coordinator Holly Johansson, Management Assistant Arika Wussow, Operations Assistant & Foster Coordinator
Customer Relations Sonia Collins Jessica Upton Megan Kendhammer April Stokes Liz Komarek
News & Updates No Fee November
The Coulee Region Humane Society waived the adoption fees for all extended-stay cats throughout the month of November. The event, dubbed “No Fee November,” was created in an effort to find forever homes for its extended-stay cats. Cats that have been available for adoption for more than four weeks are considered extended stay. More than 80 cats were available for adoption and nearly half of them found their forever homes.
Remember Me Thursday
The Coulee Region Humane Society participated in “Remember Me Thursday,” a global awareness campaign that commemorates the millions of shelter pets who lose their lives without the benefit of a loving home and shine a light on the millions of healthy pets who are still awaiting adoption. All cats were available to adopt for $15. The adoption fee for all small animals were also reduced in half.
Historic Downtown La Crosse Days
The Coulee Region Humane Society participated in Downtown Historic La Crosse Days and celebrated the history of La Crosse and the humane society.
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Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
UW-L Telethon The Coulee Region Humane Society partnered with the University of Wisconsin La Crosse to host its 17th annual Telethon, which raises money for the many homeless animals in need. The university’s broadcast students executed the show, and helped the shelter raise more than $4,500.
Black Friday Adoption Special
The Coulee Region Humane Society waived the adoption fees for all animals from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. The promotion, established by national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society, was sponsored by Zappos.com and aimed at finding forever homes for the many homeless animals in need this holiday season. Zappos.com will reimburse the shelter—and any other participating rescue organization—for each adoption, making it possible for the public to adopt a pet free of charge. The event included cats, dogs and small animals of all kind.
Orange is the new Black The Coulee Region Humane Society offered discounted adoption fees for select cats during its “Orange is the New Black” adoption special the week of Halloween. The event reduced the adoption fees for black- and –orange-colored cats to $10.
Don’t miss out! See our “Save the Date” section on page 9 for up-and-coming events and fundraisers, or visit our website, www.couleehumane.com!
www.couleehumane.com
The Coulee Region Humane Society’s instructor-led canvas painting classes are in high demand. Earlier this fall, art enthusiasts painted an image of a pumpkin accompanied by a black cat, crow or owl.
Canvas painting classes grow in popularity, raise money for shelter animals Samantha Luhmann, community outreach coordinator at the Coulee Region Humane Society, was approached by Pet Therapy volunteer Wendy Running last Spring about hosting a canvas painting class at the shelter. She proposed leading the class and using it as a new approach to raise funds for the shelter. The humane society had never hosted a canvas painting class before, but thought the idea was worth a shot. The results have been incredible. The first canvas painting class took place in July and sold out after a few weeks of advertising. Event-goers painted a beautiful image of a sunset accompanied by the silhouette of a beloved animal watching from a distance. The image, like the rest, was created by Wendy and customizable. Everyone loved it.
The second class took place in October and sold out much quicker. Attendees painted a fall design of a pumpkin--including another animal, of course. Luhmann only advertised once on Facebook for the winter painting class, and without even trying eager artists called in to register. The class immediately sold out. “It’s been so much fun hosting the canvas painting classes,” Samantha said. “Everyone has so much fun and they’re such a blast. Plus, it benefits the animals.” The humane society will continue to host canvas painting classes as long as there is a demand. “I’ll keep teaching as long as the people keep coming!” Wendy said. “It’s so much fun seeing everyone’s creative side come out in their paintings.”
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Featured Pet: Skye _____________________________ Skye is a 2-year-old female-spayed black and white cat. She is current on vaccinations and not a candidate for declaw. Skye is a very sweet and gentle girl with a great motherly instinct—she gave birth to four adorable babies at the shelter and nursed them in foster care until they were old enough to be adopted! Skye’s foster family said she is very affectionate, but can be a bit timid at times. Skye will need plenty of time to adjust to her new home. She currently lives in one of the humane society’s offices and does well with people and other cats. She has bonded with her office-mate, Sylvester! Skye has lived with children and dogs and should do well with others given proper introduction. She is quiet, loveable and mellow.
Skye’s Stats Age: 2 years Breed: Domestic Short Haired Black and White cat
Gender: Spayed-Female Compatibility: Skye has lived with
children and dogs and should do well with others given proper introduction. She is quiet, loveable and mellow.
FYI: Skye is bonded with her office-mate, Sylvester. They are not required to go home together, but we are recommending that they do! Two animals can be adopted for one adoption fee, thanks to our “Twice the Love” adoption program! Portraits by Hilary Running
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Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
volunteer spotlight:
CHRIS GRUENDEMAN The Coulee Region Humane Society wouldn’t be in existence without the generous support of the community. We rely on the help of volunteers daily to care for the many animals in need. Volunteers donate their time to help care for, train and socialize the thousands of cats, dogs and small animals we assist annually by committing to a at least a four-month assignment. Volunteers come into the shelter daily to walk, play with, groom, bathe and spend time with the animals. Chris Gruendeman has spent more than 500 hours volunteering at the shelter. The following is a Q&A to acknowledge her generosity. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Let’s start with the basics. Where are you from? Are you married? Do you have any kids? I am originally from Ohio. I am not married and I have two kids.
shelter dog training class at the humane society and have helped with Critter Club. I volunteer with PAWZ Academy and help mow lawns each summer.
Where do you work and what exactly do you do for a living? I am a retired physical therapist. Currently, I am an equine assistive activities instructor (therapeutic riding) and a regular volunteer at multiple non-profits and the local school system.
How were you introduced to CRHS? I was taking an online vet-tech assistance course through Kaplan University and was looking for a way to gain broader exposure to animals, especially cats and dogs.
How long have you volunteered at the shelter and how do you serve? I have volunteered at the humane society for at least 4 years. I socialize with dogs two times each week and help with various events such as the Spayghetti Dinner, Valley View Mall events, health fairs at Viterbo University, the rummage sale. I also attended the
www.couleehumane.com
Do you have any pets? My pets include a 4-year-old Plott Hound from CRHS, Keita, a great source of fun and exercise, a Conure bird who is about 20 years old, named BeeBee--we discuss life together--and a 16-year old Quarter horse, Tommy, who offers his subtle opinions as I teach this Western horse how to work in English style riding.
If you were an animal, which one would you be? Why? A Frog because they are amphibious, have cool locomotion, make fun noises, get to skip winter by hibernating, and can have lots of fully independent offspring. What about the shelter makes you the most proud? It has a system that works because everyone is trained and knows how to cooperate. What’s the No. 1 thing you want people to know about animal shelters and rescue organizations? CRHS is both tidy and organized to provide a positive showcase for the public to see how well cared for the animals and facility are on a daily basis.
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Happy Endings ||| STANLEY
BARNABUS
Dawn Holub couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw Stanley’s picture in the paper.
He spent the summer of 2014 hanging out at the Holub’s house during barbecues and bon fires.
The neighborhood cat had been missing for months. She didn’t think he was alive.
“He’d come over and visit with us all the time,” Frank said. “He’d even follow us into the house.”
Stanley was available for adoption at the Coulee Region Humane Society, but his name at the shelter was Barnabus. His picture and biography were in the Coulee News. He had been there for months.
On several occasions, the Holubs tried to contain Stanley and keep him safe indoors. But he loved to chase squirrels and climb trees outside, and would always find a way out.
Dawn immediately showed her husband, Frank, and daughter, Kylie, the feature. They were also in shock.
Stanley visited the family almost daily for months, but then suddenly went missing. They had no idea what happened to him. They searched for him for everywhere.
The family grabbed their coats and made their way to the humane society right after. They took him home later that same day. “We high-tailed it over there like a bunch of cats,” said. “We were so excited that he was OK.” Prior to his adoption, Stanley roamed the streets of Rockland five miles east of Bangor.
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Animal Control, Protection and Rescue responded to a call at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. A La Crosse woman found an injured cat on the 900 block of Farnam Street. The cat was bleeding from an abscess on his cheek, likely from a previous bite. His ears were dirty, his gums were pale and his teeth were full of tartar.
Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
“We thought he was a goner,” Frank said. Today, Stanley is living life in the comfort and safety of his forever home. He loves to snuggle with Dawn at night, and spend afternoons sunbathing in the window. Stanley eats breakfast and dinner every day with Frank as well. “He reminds me of a dog,” Frank said. “He greets you when you come home and follows you around the house. He wants to be right by your side.” The Holubs say they are “tickled to death” to have Stanley. They consider it a miracle that Stanley survived the season and cannot imagine their lives without him. “We are so thankful that he is OK,” Frank said, “and grateful that he is ours.” “He’s my God story,” Dawn said. “It was meant to be.”
Barnabus upon arrival at the Coulee Region Humane Society.
“Barnabus (Stanley) was in rough shape when he arrived at the shelter,” said Samantha Luhmann, the Coulee Region Humane Society’s community outreach coordinator. “He underwent several visits to the veterinarian and was prescribed many different antibiotics and pain medications to make him better.” The Coulee Region Humane Society staff spent weeks working with Barnabus (Stanley) before he was able to be placed available for adoption. It was clear he had been fending for himself for a while. But they never would have guessed just how long and far he had traveled in the process. “We were amazed to find out that he came from Rockland,” Samantha said. “And we have absolutely no idea how he got here.” Somehow, someway, Stanley survived a 23-mile trek from the town of Rockland to the south side of La Crosse--in the dead of winter. “We think he crawled up on a truck,” Frank said, “or someone came and picked him up.” Either way, the Holubs felt terrible Stanley had to experience such a thing. Portraits by Hilary Running
www.couleehumane.com
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Sip toSave
l i v e s
The second annual Sip to Save Lives beer and wine tasting took place from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 at the Cargill Room in La Crosse, an extension of the Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern. The event is one of the Coulee Region Humane Society’s three major events and fundraisers. More than 135 people were in attendance. The humane society raised more than $9,200 overall, but the event’s success far surpassed the financial income, said Samantha Luhmann, community outreach coordinator. The event shined a light on the humane society as a whole and generated several brand-new supporters. “We had a large amount of people attend this year’s beer and wine tasting that had little knowledge about our organization,” Luhmann said. “They left the event excited and inspired about what it is we as an organization are doing for animals in the Coulee Region and beyond.” The Coulee Region Humane Society wouldn’t be in existence without the public’s support. The shelter is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and relies solely on the support of animal-lovers to care for the thousands of homeless pets in the area. The humane society cared for 2,939 domestic animals in 2014, including cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits and much, much more. The organization’s Animal Control, Protection and Rescue department took in an additional 1,204 wildlife as well, such as eagles, hawks, owls, squirrels, skunks, ducks, and raccoons among many others.
Chateau La Paws was one of many different kinds of wines available to sample at this year’s beer and wine tasting event.
at the shelter this year so far; 1,140 wildlife. And those numbers continue to rise. “We’ve made amazing strides to reduce our intake numbers this year,” Luhmann said, “but there are still so many animals in need. “And we need the community’s support to help them find their forever homes.” The humane society decided to host a beer and wine tasting event for the first time last year as a new approach to fundraising. These kinds of events have proven to be prosperous for other animal shelters, Luhmann said, and unlike anything they’ve done before. The animal shelter worked with Java Vino in 2014 and were blown away by the outcome.
More than 2,000 domestic animals have received care
“We had 125 people attend,” Luhmann said. “We had
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Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
no idea there would be such a great turnout! “Java Vino also stayed open to the public, and much of their guests become involved in the event as well. The place was full to the brim.” Having hosted several beer and wine tasting at the restaurant in the past, Java Vino was an excellent choice for the very first Sip to Save Lives, Luhmann added. But the humane society really wanted to make the event its own. So the shelter booked the 2015 tasting at The Cargill Room, contacted local distributors, breweries and vineyards themselves, and planned the event from the ground up. “It was a lot of work,” Luhmann said, “but so worthwhile. The event was tailored precisely to our wants and needs, and we were able to really showcase what it is we do for not only the animals, but the community as well.”
tasting. The event also featured an information and Membership Table, where the public could obtain additional information about the shelter and make a pledge to support the humane society’s mission to actively promote the humane treatment of animals and positive human-animal relationships. “And that’s really what our goal is,” Luhmann said. “We want to educate the community about animal welfare and be a resource to them with all of their animalrelated needs. “Sip to Save Lives is a wonderful platform to celebrate the thousands of lives our organization has saved in addition to acknowledging current supporters and obtaining new ones. We’re thrilled with how this year’s event turned out and cannot wait to plan next year’s.” For more information about the tasting, to sponsor the event or volunteer your time to the planning process, please call 608-781-4014.
In addition to showcasing the many animals the humane society serves, the tasting also incorporated community events, Pet Therapy visits, education programs and volunteer opportunities into an informative slideshow that played throughout the
Top: A Brinkmann grill and specialty meat was available to win in the event’s raffle. | Bottom Right: David Reedy, local pianist and animal advocate, donated his time and talent to this year’s Sip to Save Lives event. CDs were also available for sale to help raise additional funds for the animals. |Bottom: Hors d’oeuvres were included in the event, such as the tomato bruschetta crostini.
Portraits by Hilary Running
www.couleehumane.com
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The following children, youth groups and adolescent organizations donated funds and supplies to our shelter this quarter to help the hundreds of animals we care for on a daily basis. This list does not include the many, many generous adults and business that have also donated to our shelter this quarter. Thank you! Sophia Stanton Alex Gregg Bella Massenburg Peighton Selbrede Brylee Selbrede Carter Hayes Emma Hayes Emma Fischer Grace Fischer Gracie Hauser Taj Hauser La Crosse Girl Scouts
Bring Joy to Your World The Coulee Region Humane Society will reduce the adoption fees for select animals throughout the month of December. The promotion, established by national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society, is aimed at finding forever homes for the many homeless animals in need this holiday season. The event includes select cats, dogs and small animals. Adoption fees will be reduced to $25.
Angel Giving Tree The Coulee Region Humane Society teamed up with Valley View Mall this holiday season to obtain donations of urgent-need pet supplies for the many homeless dogs, cats and small animals at the shelter. Mall-goers can take an ornament off of the humane society’s Angel Giving Tree, located in the mall, and donate the item requested on the ornament. Donations can be brought to the mall or the shelter at any time. Anything is appreciated!
La Crosse County 2016 Licensing
Save the Date!
Thank you!
La Crosse County pet owners can license their pets for the 2016 calendar year beginning Jan. 1. Licensing can be done at the Coulee Region Humane Society or at city hall.
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Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
Wish List Animal and Kennel Care
• Kong stuffers—small treats, peanut butter, spray cheese • Toys for cats—little mice with a tail and bell on the end, balls, etc. • Toys for dogs—sturdy, squeaky toys, Kongs, etc. • Rawhide bones or chips—items to keep our dogs busy • Pig ears • Dog treats—soft and hard • Dry cat food—Science Diet, Eukanuba and Purina • Dry kitten food—Science Diet, Eukanuba and Purina • Royal Canin Babycat 34 dry food • Dry dog food—Science Diet, Eukanuba, Iams and Purina • Dry puppy food—Science Diet, Eukanuba, Iams and Purina • Clay cat litter (non-clumping) • Leashes—1-inch thick and 4-6 feet long • Martingale collars for dogs • Feliway spray—behavior modification • Carefresh bedding • Guinea pig food • Timothy Hay • Aspen shavings or chips (no pine or cedar) • Small animal food—birds, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, etc. • Small animal litter • Fresh carrots and romaine lettuce for small animals • 12-inch diameter metal oil pans (to use as little pans) • Pooper Scoopers—heavy duty • Gas gift cards (transportation of animals to vet clinics, CVIs, etc.) • Gift cards to buy supplies— Target, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, PETCO, PetSmart, Wags and Whiskers, etc. • Gift cards to buy building supplies—Farm and Fleet, Home Depot, Menard’s, etc. • Aluminum cans to support spay and neuter program
www.couleehumane.com
DJ- Adopted Oct. 2015! Portraits by Hilary Running
Office Supplies • Small gift bags to send info home with adopters • Stamps • Copy paper—8.5X11, plain white
Cleaning Supplies • • • • •
Laundry detergent for washers Garbage bags—33 and 33 gallons Windex Paper towels Kleenex
Education • Gift cards to buy craft supplies— Hobby Lobby, Michaels, WalMart, etc.
Pet Therapy • Avery High Visibility labels— Inkjet #8293—1 1/2 inch diameter • Gift cards to buy office supplies —Target, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Office Max, Office Depot, etc.
Urgent Meat-flavored baby food—no onion or garlic powder Royal Canin Kitten Food Cat scratchers— stretchandscratch.com Canned cat food—loaf please, no meats in gravy/sauce Kitten Milk Replacer—KMR brand Dry kitten food—Science Diet, Eukanuba and Purina
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911 Critter Court Onalaska WI 54650
Bring joy to your world. Adopt a new best friend this holiday season.
This December, adopt select dogs, cats and small animals for $25 or less from a Best Friends Network partner like us.