animal
TRIBUNE Spring 2015 Edition
Portraits by Hilary Running
animal
TRIBUNE
News & Updates
an extension of the Coulee Region Humane Society
Rotary Lights Animal Care & Humane & Animal Control Officers Adoption Counseling Brad Aden Carissa Faas Katie Knox Melissa Lynch Kelly Metzger Krissy Mickelson Marlaine Moede Holly Sauer Ginny Schetter Holly Barnes Arika Wussow Ariel VanCura Cahoon Jasmine Dunn Megan Menneke Brady Bellafronto Theresa Morey
Maintenance & Finance David Collins Brian Mansky
Board of Directors Sarah Fortune, President Bill Soper, Vice-President Jay Jaehnke, Treasurer Pat Caffrey Sister Helen Deppe Kris Nandory Monica Redmond Tony Roberts Judy Rusch
Rich Schrader Travis Wills
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 Alyssa Longhway, Volunteer & Foster Care Coordinator Betsie Nachtigal, Customer Relations Manager Erin Olson, Pet Therapy & Education Coordinator Lynn Zee Dokken-Knox, Management Assistant Hannah Manske, Operations Assistant
Customer Relations Sonia Collins Mikaela Powers Jessica Upton Megan Kendhammer Megan Krueger
The La Crosse Rotary Lights donated $255 to the Coulee Region Humane Society for their involvement in this year’s Christmas-light event. The shelter has been a part of the Rotary Lights for several years and has helped with a variety of different components of the function. Staff members and volunteers assisted with tear-down for this year’s event, and participated in the parade.
Valentine’s Day Cat Adoption/PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend
The Coulee Region Humane Society offered reduced adoption fees in honor of Valentine’s Day Feb. 13-15. All cats, kittens and rabbits were available to adopt for $14. The promotion was aimed at finding forever homes for the hundreds of animals that find their way to the shelter yearround. Twenty-two animals were adopted.
Paw Away Hunger
The Coulee Region Humane Society visited four Festival Foods locations this quarter in an effort to raise awareness for its Paw Away Hunger program. The program offers grocery bags for sale at local Festival Foods grocery stores for either $5 or $10. All proceeds go to the shelter and are used to buy animal supplies for the many cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, etc. in need of care.
animal TRIBUNE | 1
Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
Make a Friend for Life Mall Adoption Event The Coulee Region Humane Society offered a special “Make a Friend for Life” adoption event April 24-25 at Valley View Mall. The event featured dogs and small animals available for adoption in the JCPenney court of Valley View Mall. The adoption fees for cats who were experiencing an extended stay at the shelter were waived in an effort to help find them their forever homes. Adoption fees for dogs and small animals remained the same. Four dogs, three cats and one rabbit were adopted.
Free Pig Friday Guinea Pig Adoption Event
Nine of the 10 guinea pigs available for adoption in March were adopted during a special fee-waived guinea pig adoption event. “Free Pig Friday,” which took place Friday, March 27, attracted small animal fans from throughout the region during the four-hour adoption event. This was the first time the shelter has waived adoption fees specifically for guinea pigs.
SNAP Spayghetti & Fixin’s Dinner More than 500 people attended the Coulee Region Humane Society’s annual Spayghetti and Fixin’s Dinner April 9 to support the shelter’s SpayNeuter Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP. The program helps incomeeligible La Crosse County residents spay and/or neuter their pets at a reduced fee. The dinner also featured a bake sale, which entirely sold out. The event raised more than $3,200.
www.couleehumane.com
Coulee Region Humane Society staff members celebrated another successful year at the 2015 Cause for Paws benefit.
A CAUSE FOR PAUSE Cause for Paws 2015
The Coulee Region Humane Society celebrated another successful year of operations during its annual Cause for Paws benefit.
said, “especially in the last 12 months. We’ve refined policies, altered procedures and taken several risks.
The benefit, which took place Feb. 21 at Western Technical College’s Lunda Center, welcomed shelter staff, volunteers, adopters and supporters for an evening of commemoration and fun. The event featured a silent auction, dessert auction and event program that highlighted the humane society’s recent accomplishments.
The shelter placed 181 more animals in 2014 compared to 2013, 150 of which were cats. Nearly 170 less animals were euthanized as well.
Since its establishment in 1971, the shelter has improved leaps and bounds, said Samantha Luhmann, the humane society’s community outreach coordinator.
“And all of our hard work is paying off. The proof is in the numbers.”
“We’ve also taken in 133 less animals this year than last,” Luhmann said. “That’s substantial. “And that’s what we celebrate at our Cause for Paws benefit. We’re saving lives, one step at a time.”
“We’ve made so many positive changes in the last few years,” she
2 | Spring 2015 Edition
JOY SHE WAS, JOY SHE FOUND The Coulee Region Humane Society was gifted $171, 504.24 in the form of an estate, which belonged to La Crosse native Barbara Schroeder. Schroeder also gave identical value gifts to Jim’s Grocery Bag and the La Crosse Education Foundation, and funded lesser valued gifts to two regional animal welfare organizations as well. Schroeder’s friends and family said they weren’t at all surprised by her estate. She was passionate about people and animals, and usually saw the glass as half full, said Mary Lund, Schroeder’s neighbor and longtime friend. “Barb was spontaneous, colorful and fun-loving,” Lund said. “She was always looking out for those less fortunate.” The humane society’s portion of the estate will be used to help fund the shelter’s daily operations and staff care.
Barbara Schroeder’s memory lives on in the shelter’s decorative walkway, which displays engraved bricks that memorialize loved ones.
“We couldn’t do what we do without people like Barb,” said Samantha Luhmann, the shelter’s community outreach coordinator. “We are beyond grateful for her support.”
HELPING THE HELPLESS The Coulee Region Humane Society was gifted $70,288.76 in the form of an estate, which belonged to Chicago, Ill. native Lorraine Ogen Oelschlager. Oelschlager was raised in La Crosse and graduated from Logan High School in 1949. Oelschlager attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Minn. and worked several jobs throughout the country, including the Lutheran Church Parish in Eureka, Calif., St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and the United Airlines in San Francisco. After 30 years with United Airlines, Oelschlager retired in California and lastly Florida. Oelschlager and her husband, Bill, enjoyed the companion of many beloved animals throughout their marriage. Their family consisted of horses, llamas and many dogs.
Oelschlager’s gift will help save the lives of animals in need of special medical care like Honeydew, who had her front leg amputated at Thompson Animal Medical Center.
animal TRIBUNE | 3
“We are so grateful for Lorraine’s gift,” said Samantha Luhmann, the shelter’s community outreach coordinator. “This money will be used to fund special needs medical care for many animals in need. This would include emergency care such as surgeries or senior blood panels.”
Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
MEET THE BOARD: PAT CAFFREY Pat Caffrey, retired civil engineer and current Coulee Region Humane Society board member, and his cat, Indigo.
it does for more than 25 years. After we retired in 2005, my wife Peg began actively volunteering. I was volunteering for other organizations, but gradually became more involved.
The Coulee Region Humane Society’s Board of Directors is made up of nine individuals from throughout the Coulee Region. Pat Caffrey is one of them. The following is a Q&A with Caffrey. Let’s start with the basics. Where are you from? Are you married? Do you have any kids? I currently life in Trempealeau with my wife Peg Zappen. We have no children.
How long have you been involved with the shelter and in what ways? I have volunteered for special events for many years, including helping move CRHS from Larson Street to Critter Court when the new shelter was built. I help haul supplies from the Holmen Festival to CRHS every quarter as part of the Paw Away Hunger program, collect money from donation banks at several supportive merchants and haul donated aluminum cans for recycling. I have also helped with some construction and building maintenance projects. I became a member of the board of directors in 2012.
Tell us about your pets. We currently have one cat, Indigo, a very special girl. Several years Where do you work and what ago we took in a cat named exactly do you do for a living? Cinnamon for foster care while I am a retired civil engineer. I he underwent multiple surgeries worked for the City of La Crosse to repair damage from a severe for 30 years as a design engineer, injury. When he had recovered Superintendent of Wastewater and enough to be returned to CRHS, finally as Director of Public Works. we had grown quite attached to Cinnamon and adopted him. How were you introduced to He was a truly wonderful friend. CRHS? We have been supporters Cinnamon is no longer with us, and admirers of CRHS and the work but we are still servants to Indigo,
www.couleehumane.com
who makes every day brighter and sweeter. If you were an animal, which one would you be? Why? A cougar. They live in beautiful, pristine mountain areas, travel widely and are amazingly graceful for a large animal. I was fortunate enough to see one in the wild in 1972, and the image of it running with amazing fluidity has stuck with me ever since. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about CRHS? That people who care can really make a difference for animals. What about the shelter makes you the most proud? The incredible dedicated staff that are motivated by their love for animals and work so hard to improve the lives of animals, often in difficult and emotionally trying situations. What’s the No. 1 thing you want people to know about animal shelters and rescue organizations? While these organizations start as operations of love for animals, modern shelters utilize research and information sharing to maximize operational efficiency to provide as much benefit to as many animals as possible with the limited resources available to them. What would your life be like without animals? Life without animals would be a greatly diminished form of existence.
4 | Spring 2015 Edition
Happy Endings |||
MAX
Max, a 16-year-old Labrador retriever, was surrendered to the Coulee Region Humane Society Jan. 14, 2015. His previous owner was selling his house and moving into an assisted living home, which didn’t allow pets.
saw his picture on Facebook. She had no intentions of adopting at the time, but there was something about Max that spoke to her.
Because of his age, Max was blind and his hearing was diminishing. He also tested positive for Lyme disease having lived most of his life outside.
“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the senior pets,” McDonald said. “And I didn’t want him to live out the rest of his life in a shelter. Whatever he has left—two weeks, two years—whatever it is.”
He was in need of a very special home. “We were worried about Max initially,” said Samantha Luhmann, the shelter’s community outreach coordinator. “Most adopters aren’t able or willing to accommodate his kind of needs, especially at his age. “But the most amazing thing happened — someone did.” Maggie McDonald, executive director of HorseSense for Special Riders, immediately fell for Max when she
animal TRIBUNE | 5
She had to take him home.
No more than one hour after she stumbled upon Max online, McDonald was on the phone with the shelter inquiring about adoption. She was on her way to the humane society shortly after to put in her application. “Maggie is simply incredible,” Luhmann said. “She is the perfect fit for Max. She genuinely cares about Max’s wellbeing and has provided the perfect retirement home for him. He’s spoiled.” Maggie’s home is located at the end of a long dirt
Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
road in Nodine, Minn. where the fields are bountiful and traffic is scarce—if that. Because Max prefers to be outside, Maggie decked out her entire garage to provide a comfortable and cozy place for him to live. There are multiple beds for him to sleep on, carpeting and plenty of toys to play with. Instead of parking her car inside of the garage, she’s given the entire space to Max. And when she’s home from work, she leaves the door open for him to come and go.
Senior pets are one of the most difficult groups of animals to place and spend the longest amount of time in a shelter waiting for a home. Some live out their entire lives in humane societies and shelters. “Older dogs have just as much to give as the younger ones,” McDonald said. “For all they give us, we should be able to give back to them.” And McDonald did just that—gave Max a beautiful forever home, filled with an abundance of love.
If Max wants to go inside the house; however, he has full access. Maggie even had her father build a custom-made ramp for Max in lieu of stairs. In addition to Max, Maggie is also the proud owner of two other dogs; Kieya, an 11-year-old cocker spaniel and Tia, a 13-year-old border collie/husky mix. She also has two 10-month-old cats, Boots and Mittens. Max gets along great with the other animals, McDonald said, especially Boots. The two can be found snuggling together outside or cuddled up together in the garage. “Max is a great addition to the family,” she said. Since going home with McDonald, Max’s health has increased exponentially. He’s lost about 20 pounds, his Lyme disease is under control and he’s on regular pain medication. McDonald also keeps a close eye on Max’s nutrition and feeds him a prescription diet. Although senior pets oftentimes require more than younger ones, that isn’t to say they are less valued, McDonald said. They offer the same amount of love and loyalty as any other animal.
Portraits by Hilary Running
www.couleehumane.com
6 | Spring 2015 Edition
CRHS helps resident pets through grants The Coulee Region Humane Society helps homeless animals of all kinds find loving and caring homes. But what’s often forgotten is that the shelter also helps resident pets, who already have homes, stay there. With the help of three separate grants, the Coulee Region’s humane society is able to assist residents of La Crosse County with veterinary bills and emergency surgeries, as well as reunite lost pets with their owners. The following grants have been awarded to the shelter this year. Banfield Charitable Trust Banfield Charitable Trust granted $2,500 to the shelter to help pet owners who are unable to pay for emergency veterinary care for their animals. Pet owners oftentimes resort to surrendering their cat or dog to the shelter when fees are impossible to pay. The Belisle Fund of the St. Croix Valley Foundation The Belisle Fund of the St. Croix Valley Foundation granted funds to help the Coulee Region Humane Society improve redemption rates of lost cats. The shelter was able to make pictures of lost cats internet-accessible in an effort to match lost cats with their owners thanks to the grant. The humane society’s “Lost and Found Cats” Facebook page has more than 600 likes and reaches nearly 1,200 people every week. This effort has also raised awareness of the shelter as a place to look for a missing cat. The Coulee Region Humane Society files lost and found reports daily and checks for matches with every incoming animal.
animal TRIBUNE | 7
Microchip scanners are now located in each Animal Control, Protection and Rescue vehicle to better help reunite lost pets with their homes.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals awarded funds to help the Coulee Region Humane Society return pets to their homes more quickly by providing further means of identifying pets. Animal Control, Protection and Rescue vehicles now carry microchip scanners with them in the field in order to return the animal to his or her home rather than impounding them at the shelter. All pets redeemed by their owners from the shelter receive complimentary collars and identification tags. All adopted pets go home with a free collar and identification tag as well, thanks to the ASPCA grant. For more information about the Coulee Region Humane Society’s grants, and to see whether or not you are eligible, call 608-781-4014.
Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
Hiya! My name is Samantha and I am this month’s featured pet! I arrived at the Coulee Region Humane Society back in November and am still waiting for my forever home. Even though I came in as a stray, it’s more than likely that I belonged to someone at some point — I’m front-declawed and everything! Since I’ve been here for so long, I no longer live in a kennel at the shelter. Instead, I hang out in the offices up front, where I get a lot of love and attention! The staff at the Coulee Region Humane Society call me Princess Samantha because I “reign over the shelter.” Whenever I walk by, they marvel at my coat and tell me how beautiful I am! One of my favorite things is to be petted and snuggled, and the staff love to do just that! If I jump up on the desk while they’re working, they always stop to spoil me. I’m a really well-behaved cat and have very good manners. I don’t like to be picked up, but I love to cuddle! Just let me come to you, please. Most days, you can find me sleeping and resting on one of the office chairs, simply minding my own business. I’m independent, cordial and charming, and I can’t wait to meet my family. Please stop in for a visit some time!
SAMANTHA Age: 3 years Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Gray Tiger with White
Gender: Female Compatibility: Gets along well with other cats, dogs and people.
FYI: Samantha is experiencing an
extended stay at the humane society. In hopes of finding her forever home, her adoption fee has been reduced to $30! Thanks to the Globe University Veterinarian Technician program, Samantha has already received a dental, has been microchipped and tested for FIV/FeLV and heartworm! Portraits by Hilary Running
www.couleehumane.com
8 | Spring 2015 Edition
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! Eagle Bluff Elementary School Anna Rabe Ella Beal Matthew Arsenault Kate Arsenault Lauren Arsenault Sydney Stoner Oliver Olson Braelynn Kegley
Annual Adopt-a-Thon The Coulee Region Humane Society’s annual Adopt-a-thon will take place from 1-6 p.m. July 1012. The event will feature reduced adoption fees for cats and select animals. All adopters will go home with pet toys in addition to a complimentary Adopt-a-thon T shirt.
Bake Sale Fundraiser The Coulee Region Humane Society will host its annual bake sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at the Cameron Park Farmers Market, located in downtown La Crosse. The bake sale will consist of homemade baked goods made by volunteers, staff, supporters and Coulee Region Humane Society Pet Therapy teams. All proceeds benefit the homeless animals. The Cameron Park Farmers Market now accepts EBT and debit cards.
Festival Foods Brat Barn Coulee Region Humane Society volunteers, staff and Pet Therapy teams will be selling brats at the Festival Foods Brat Barn Saturday, June 13 at the Onalaska Festival Foods location, 1260 Crossing Meadows Drive. All proceeds benefit the shelter and the many homeless cats, dogs and small animals available for adoption.
animal TRIBUNE | 9
Save the Date!
Thank you!
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 • Newspapers • 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 • Dish rags/wash cloths • 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
Penny - Available for Adoption! 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
10 | Spring 2015 Edition
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID La Crosse WI 54601 Permit No. 61
911 Critter Court Onalaska WI 54650
According to the ASPCA, approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.
Save a life. Adopt today. Portraits by Hilary Running