animal
TRIBUNE
Summer 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 Megan Menneke Theresa Morey Bailey Brown Taylor Bailey
Maintenance & Finance David Collins Brian Mansky
Board of Directors Sarah Fortune, President Bill Soper, Vice-President Jay Jaehnke, Treasurer Pat Caffrey Sister Helen Deppe Monica Redmond Tony Roberts Judy Rusch Dr. Nichole Meisch
Travis Grosskof Howie Wiedman
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 Arika Wussow, Operations Assistant
Customer Relations Sonia Collins Mikaela Powers Jessica Upton Megan Kendhammer Megan Krueger Caitie Mayer
News & Updates Festival Foods Brat Barn
The Coulee Region Humane Society raised more than $500 selling brats, hamburgers, chips and soda at the Onalaska Festival Foods Brat Barn in June. All proceeds benefit the shelter’s Destination Zero program, which strives for zero euthanasia of adoptable animals.
Black Tie Tuesday
The Coulee Region Humane Society reduced the adoption fees for solid black, solid white, and black- and white-colored cats in half every Tuesday throughout the month of June. The shelter had 10 black- and white-colored cats available for adoption. Seven were adopted.
Cameron Park Farmers Market Bake Sale The Coulee Region Humane Society hosted a bake sale at the Cameron Park Farmers Market Saturday, June 6. The sale featured homemade goods baked by volunteers, staff members, adopters and supporters of the shelter. The fundraiser generated more than $300. Another bake sale is scheduled to take place at Valley View Mall Monday, Dec. 7.
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Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
Project Homeless Connect The Coulee Region Humane Society participated in the La Crosse Homeless Coalition’s Project Homeless Connect event July 30 at the La Crosse Center, which connected homeless people with free resources to help with their current situation. The shelter had several Pet Therapy teams on site for eventgoers to pet and distributed information about its Spay/Neuter Assistance Program, which helps incomeeligible residents of La Crosse County spay and/or neuter their pets.
Canvas Painting Class
A canvas painting class was held at the Coulee Region Humane Society July 31 to help raise funds for the homeless animals at the shelter. Attendees painted one-of-a-kind images of the silhouettes of their beloved pets watching a sunset. The class nearly sold out and raise more than $220. Another canvas painting class will take place Friday, Sept. 25 at the humane society.
Dog Days of Summer La Crosse Loggers The Coulee Region Humane Society, along with La Crescent Animal Rescue, Fun Fur Pets, Paws 4 Independence and New Leash on Life Dog Rescue, participated in the Dog Days of Summer event Saturday, Aug. 8 at the La Crosse Loggers game. Thousands of people attended the game, which featured a double-header, and adoption application were accepted.
www.couleehumane.com
The Coulee Region Humane Society hosted its annual Adopt-a-thon event July 10-12, 2015. The event featured a fairy tale theme revolved around finding the perfect match for adopter and animals.
2015 Adopt-a-thon finds homes for 51 animals The Coulee Region Humane Society held its 11th annual Adopt-a-thon July 9-12 at the shelter. Adoption fees for all cats and kittens were reduced to $11. The cost of small animals was waived. The event was originally scheduled to begin Friday; however, due to a recent influx of cats and small animals, the humane society’s Leadership Team decided to start the event early. “We were at our capacity for cats, kittens and small animals,” said Samantha Luhmann, community outreach coordinator. “By beginning the Adopt-a-thon one day sooner, we were able to find even more homes for our beloved animals.”
The event, dubbed Furry Tales Do Come True, featured a fairy tale theme revolved around matching adopters with their “fur-ever” pet. Adoption counselors were on site to assist with adoptions and discuss the importance of adopting an animal that best fits a person’s lifestyle. “Our goal for the event was to find permanent homes for the many cats, dogs and small animals at our shelter,” Luhmann said. “By having honest conversations with adopters about the realities of pet ownership, we were better able to do that.” Fifty-one animals found their forever homes during the four-day event. The shelter placed a total of 129 animals throughout the month of July.
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Vegetable gardens feed humane society rabbits, guinea pigs The Coulee Region Humane Society, with the help of the Home Depot and Master Gardener Jodie Visker, built three vegetable gardens in July in an effort to help feed and sustain the shelter’s small animal population. The shelter has been in constant need of produce due to a recently influx in rabbits and guinea pigs. Vegetables can be difficult to keep fresh and can become costly. By growing its own vegetables, the humane society will be able to nourish its small animals with healthy food in a more sustainable and cost-effective way. “It made perfect sense,” said Samantha Luhmann, the shelter’s community outreach coordinator. “Rather than spending money on produce at the store, why not grow our own?”
assembled a team to build the gardens Visker designed for the shelter. Coulee Region Humane Society staff members also assist with the build. Carrots, parsley, kale, spinach, green peppers, banana peppers and cucumbers were planted. “Our rabbits and guinea pigs enjoy fresh vegetables from the gardens daily now,” Luhmann said. “The crops are flourishing and every week there are more and more vegetables to harvest.” The humane society is in the process of assembling three rain barrels to go along with the gardens. The shelter is also exploring the possibilities of composting.
The gardens follow the “All New Square-Foot Gardening” plan designed by Mel Bartholomew, which features a grid-planting technique as opposed to rows. The grid system enables the growth of more vegetables in less space. The shelter constructed three 4’ X 4’ boxes in addition to three wire cages for protection from nearby wildlife. Lattice was also installed to grow vining crops such as cucumbers. The Home Depot donated all of the supplies and
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Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
volunteer spotlight:
BARB ELSEN 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. La Crosse resident Barb Elsen, a retired pediatric nurse, has spent more than 1,000 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 from La Crosse, I am not married, and I have two grown sons and almost 6 grandchildren. Where do you work and what exactly do you do for a living? I am a nurse, but I retired this past March after 18+ years in the clinic pediatric department. How were you introduced to CRHS? I read something in the newspaper that I responded to.....it was something I had talked about doing for quite a while. How long have you volunteered at the shelter and how do you serve? It will be 6 years in November. I primarily work with the dogs.
www.couleehumane.com
Do you have any pets? Currently I do not have a pet, as I had to have my 13-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Mickey, put down on July 8 due to cancer. For the time being, I keep myself busy with my family and friends pets, and all my dogs at CRHS. I trust that the next dog in my life will find me when the time is right. If you were an animal, which one would you be? Why? I would be a zebra because I tend to think in black and white. What about the shelter makes you the most proud? The staff and volunteers with whom I work and interact with daily. They are the most dedicated group of people I know.
What’s the No. 1 thing you want people to know about animal shelters and rescue organizations? That they are NOT like the sad advertisements that you see on TV. However, they do need the financial support of the communities in which they serve. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about CRHS? That all animals they deal with are important and are treated as such. What would your life be like without animals? Extremely empty and boring.
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Happy Endings |||
MASON
Mason arrived at the Coulee Region Humane Society May 6, 2015. He was found as a stray on the 2100 block of Market Street in La Crosse.
and placed on regular feeding schedule at the shelter. He underwent a series of tests at Globe University to better examine his health as well.
Mason was emaciated, malnourished and significantly underweight when Animal Control rescued him. He scored 1.5/10 on the Body Condition System and weighed only 17 pounds.
The healing process was gradual, but Mason regained his strength over time. He healed from his ear infection and autoimmune disease. He recovered his muscle mass and gained weight.
Mason’s nails were also extremely overgrown, forcing him to walk on his heels. He suffered from alopecia and an ear infection as well.
On July 1, 2015, a Coulee Region Humane Society volunteer was walking Mason near Gundersen Lutheran adjacent to the shelter. Macala Hale, a hospital employee, crossed paths with Mason during her lunch break.
Animal caregivers guessed his age at about 8 months based on the status of his teeth and body. But after taking Mason to the vet they learned he was 3 years old. “Mason was lucky to be alive,” said Samantha Luhmann, the humane society’s community outreach coordinator. “The neglect he experienced was severe and extensive. We didn’t think he’d make it.” Mason was immediately treated with medications
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Hale fell for Mason right away and knew right off the bat she would adopt him. She stopped by the shelter later that day to submit her application. “I couldn’t stop thinking about him,” Hale said. “There was just something about him.” Hale was approved for adoption the next day and brought Mason home soon after.
Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
But bad behavior can be corrected, Hale said. Imperfection is beauty. Mason’s “flaws” were one of the reasons why Hale decided to adopt him. “Hugh was teased a lot growing up,” she said. “He was the outcast. I was the outcast. Mason was the outcast. “These poor animals are bred to fight and do awful things, and some are abused their entire lives. I’m a person that just wants to be a voice for someone who can’t. I wish more people would realize that there are good dogs at the humane society, like Mason.” Mason is now enrolled in obedience class at the Coulee Region Humane Society. Although he is making excellent progress, Mason still makes mistakes. Mason upon arrival at the Coulee Region Humane Society.
Because Mason was neglected the first few years of his life, he never experienced the simple joys of purely being a dog. He had never been loved and accepted into someone’s family. So when Hale brought him home, Mason seized the day; the world is now his oyster.
But Hale and Hugh embrace Mason for all that he is. “No one is perfect,” Hale said, “so why should animals be?” Mason fits in perfectly with the family, “flaws” and all, Hale said. And the rest of his life will look much different than the beginning.
Every day is an adventure for Mason filled with brand-new experiences. He and Leo, Hale’s 3-year-old Labrador-Golden Retriever mix, spend hours playing outside and swimming in the nearby creek. Mason loves to run and dig holes in the yard, and he revels in barn explorations. He accompanies Hale and her husband Hugh with chores on the farm whenever he can. Although Mason’s not a fan of the cattle Hale and Hugh rear, he’s become quite fond of the barn cats, Hale said. Mason will pick them up by their scruff and carry them into the house sometimes. And he loves to watch the hunting channel and go on tractor rides with Hugh. In many ways; however, Mason is still a puppy and learning basic obedience. He plays too rough at times, chews cell phone cords and steals food off the table. For the first time in his life Mason has free reins to roam and is no longer confined to a cage. He is learning what is right and wrong for the very first time. Portraits by Hilary Running
www.couleehumane.com
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Humane Education teaches youth animal care, responsibility The Coulee Region Humane Society’s Humane Education department provide hands-on service learning opportunities to local youth and adolescents through a variety of programs. Pawz Academy and Crafts for Critters are two new programs that have been added to the department this year. Both programs teach children about animal welfare and care through interactive projects and activities. They also include informative presentations given by shelter professionals and other well-known specialists. Crafts for Critters Crafts for Critters is a free youth program for children ages 6-11 that takes place once per month. Children as young as 4 years old are also welcome to attend with adult supervision. Erin Olson, the shelter’s pet therapy and education coordinator, begins each Craft for Critters event with a tour of the shelter followed by an activity. Each activity is tailored to meet the needs of the shelter. “We made hay tubes for the rabbits one month because we had several available for adoption,” Olson said. “We made yarn balls for the cats in Isolation to play with another month as well.” Crafts for Critters is structured to be very laid back and is approximately 1 hour long. The program is available free of charge. “I thought it was important to have a no-charge program because you don’t ever want to eliminate participation if someone doesn’t have the funds to do so,” Olson said. Pawz Academy Pawz Academy is designed for children ages 8-13 who are interested in learning about the responsibilities of pet ownership and helping homeless animals and wildlife.
Pawz Academy focuses on a different animal-related topic every month. The first sessions are lesson-based and feature a variety of different speakers. The second sessions apply the information taught in the first sessions through hands-on community and service projects. “The students at Pawz Academy will learn about more than just the Coulee Region Humane Society,” said Samantha Luhmann, the shelter’s community outreach coordinator. “They’ll hear from several other reputable business and organizations throughout the year who have a passion for helping both domestic and wild animals just like we do at our shelter.”
The program features multiple sessions every month throughout the year from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Globe University.
For more information about Craft for Critters and Pawz Academy, or to register your child, call 608-781-4014.
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Coulee Region Humane Society | 608-781-4014
Featured Pet: Bentley Bentley is a 2-year-old Blue Tick Coonhound who is full of life and personality. He loves to run, play and explore, and take long naps on the couch. Bentley loves to gives kisses. Bentley spent the first few years of his life working. He was trained to hunt raccoons and rabbits, and for that reason, he shouldn’t live in a home with small animals or cats. His previous owners thought he needed more exercise so Bentley was brought to the Coulee Region Humane Society in May. Bentley now lives in foster care and attends a regular dog class and daycare. Bentley should live with children 8 years and older because he is an active and rowdy guy. He does well with adults; however, Bentley is fearful of most men. Introductions to men should be taken very slow and gradual. It can take some time for Bentley to feel safe and comfortable around people. Bentley is a very smart boy and knows many commands and tricks. He can sit, shake, lie down, bow, touch, look, and knows on and off. He graduated from basic obedience class and is currently enrolled in social skills. He is learning everyday manners at his foster home and is progressing very well. Bentley is a wonderful dog who is highly motivated and teachable. He needs a special owner who will embrace him for all that he is. To schedule a meet and greet with Bentley, call 608-781-4014.
Stats Age: 2 years Breed: Blue Tick Coonhound Gender: Male, Neutered Compatibility: Gets along well with most dogs,
but should not live with cats. Bentley should live with respectful children 8 years and older.
FYI: Bentley is currently in foster care. If you
would like to meet Bentley please call 608-781-4014 to schedule an appointment. Appointments for Bentley are available from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays or 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 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! Lucius Stallman Amaya Thesing Catrina McCoy Kate Ramsay Megan Ramsay Darbi Jefferies Grayson Guzzo Sydney Taerud Onalaska Middle School
Calendar Contest The Coulee Region Humane Society’s annual calendar photo contest is taking place now! All photo entries will be entered for the chance to grace the cover of the 2016 calendar. Every photo is guaranteed a spot in the calendar. Details about how to enter are online at www.couleehumane. com. For more information, call Samantha Luhmann, community outreach coordinator, at the shelter: 608-781-4014.
PetSmart National Adoption Weekend The Coulee Region Humane Society will team up with PetSmart National Charities to host an adoption event Sept. 11-13. Cats and dogs will be available to adopt at PetSmart in Onalaska, located in the Valley Square Shopping Center on Hwy. 16. Cats, dogs and small animals will also be available at the shelter.
Festival Foods Brat Barn Coulee Region Humane Society volunteers, staff and Pet Therapy teams will be selling brats at the Festival Foods Brat Barn from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at the La Crosse Festival Foods location, 30 Copeland Ave. All proceeds benefit the shelter’s Destination Zero program, which strives for zero euthanasia of adoptable animals.
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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 • 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
Valerie - 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
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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID La Crosse WI 54601 Permit No. 61
911 Critter Court Onalaska WI 54650
Sip toSave
l i v e s
A beer and wine tasting event sponsored by Franke & Turnbull CPA’s to support the Coulee Region Humane Society.
5 - 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 The Cargill Room, 328 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse Silent auction, raffle, live music and hors d’oeuvres included.
Ticket cost is $30, $50 for two if purchased in advance. Cost is $30 each at the door. Pritchard, Jaehnke & Linse Wealth Management Group Jay Jaehnke