Portraits by Hilary Running
small changes make
big results Since its establishment in 1971, the Coulee Region Humane Society remained an open admission animal shelter for any pet in need. For most surrounding counties, the La Crosse-area facility was and is the only option; many don’t have a local humane society. So the shelter accepted many animals from Trempealeau, Monroe, Winona, Jackson and Houston counties, among others. The intake of surrendered and stray
animal TRIBUNE | 3
A year worth noting.
animals grew to an unmanageable amount throughout the years and upon upgrading to the Onalaska location in 2004, CRHS had taken in more than 50,000 strays and 13,000 surrendered animals.
More than 23,800 animals have been surrendered to the humane society as of April 7, 2016. And nearly 80,000 have arrived as strays since the organization’s establishment.
So the humane society changed its opendoor policy Jan. 1, 2015 in an effort to better care for the homeless animals within its county. From that point forward, only strays within La Crosse County were admitted; out-of-county strays were no longer accepted.
Broken down, that’s roughly 10,800 surrendered pets and 30,000 stray animals that have been brought to the shelter in the last 12 years, when the nonprofit moved to Onalaska. That means on average 900 animals are surrendered and 2,500 strays brought in each year to the shelter.
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 • Pig ears • Dog treats—soft and hard • Dog and puppy food—Pro Plan • Iams, Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, Science Diet, EVO • Cat/kitten food—Royal Canin, Science Diety, Blue Buffalo, Iams • Natural BalanceClay cat litter (non-clumping) • Leashes—1-inch thick and 4-6 feet long • Martingale collars for dogs • Feliway spray • Carefresh bedding without baking soda • 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 litter pans) • Pooper Scoopers—heavy duty • Gift cards—Target, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, PETCO, PetSmart, Wags and Whiskers, Farm and Fleet, Home Depot, Menard’s, etc. • Empty soda cans
Office Supplies • Stamps • Copy paper—8.5X11, plain white
www.couleehumane.com
Rachel -- Available for adoption!
Portraits by Hilary Running
Cleaning Supplies • • • • •
HE laundry detergent Garbage bags—33 and 33 gallons Windex Paper towels Kleenex
Education • Gift cards to buy craft supplies— Hobby Lobby, Michaels, WalMart, etc.
Pet Therapy • 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 2016 Edition