Board of Directors News: A Changing of the Guard

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1 A Changing of the Guards Membership Drive Mardi Paws Event Help Our Community Second Chance Thrift Store Foster Program Humane Society Stats Spotlight Why We Are Here Memorials Happy Tails Volunteer Puppy Mill Hotline DIRECTORY HUMANE SOCIETY OF GROVE AND GRAND LAKE, INC. A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION E. 290 Road P.O. Box Grove, OK Telephone: Website: hsgrove@att.net Hours of Operation: Tues Fri: Noon 5:30 pm Sat: 10 am - 4 pm Sun & Mon: Closed BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Linda Miller, President Lori Follis, Vice-President Marion Metcalf, Secretary Joy Justice, Treasurer Bob Merciez Carol Rice Connie Ruzicka Jerry Ruzicka Penny Sternbeck SHELTER MANAGER: Lorri McPherson SECOND CHANCE THRIFT STORE Shirley Daggett, Manager Hours of Operation: Wed Fri: 10 am 4 pm Sat: 10 am - 3 pm Board of Directors News: A Changing of the Guard Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, services, time or effort to support a charitable cause, usually over an extended period of time and with a defined objective. The Humane Society of Grove and Grand Lake would not be what it is today if it wasn t for the years of tireless service from our many long standing Directors and volunteers. The Humane Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) no-kill animal shelter that was incorporated in For 25+ years, there have been many service-minded leaders who have dedicated themselves to the simple belief that the homeless animals of Grand Lake deserve a second chance at finding their forever homes. We would like to thank all the past Directors who have given years of service to the shelter, and would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge those individuals who have stepped down from the Board this past year. Gordon Thompson worked hard as the maintenance engineer for the shelter. He was the one called when the plumbing didn t work, the air conditioning failed, the doors needed to be fixed, the painting needed to be done, just to name a few. Mary Lee Jackson served as Secretary and was instrumental in the establishment of the Second Chance Thrift Store. Doug Wilson served as Treasurer and also helped with shelter maintenance. Kelly Whitehead diligently organized fund raisers. Even though she has stepped down from the Board, Kelly is still involved in helping raise much needed funds for the shelter. And we must mention Chris Jackson. Though not a Board member, Chris was at Gordon s side and also called upon to make general maintenance repairs. The success of our organization these past years could not have been achieved without the hard work, leadership, and dedication from this special group of individuals, as well as all the volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to help the animals. God Bless Them All! We now have a new team of Board members who will work hard to carry on the mission of the shelter and continue the legacy of service and commitment set forth by these special individuals. We are always looking for a Few Good Men and Women who would be interested in becoming a part of our service-minded organization. Your time CAN make a difference in the lives of countless homeless animals. They need your help! Please contact Linda Miller, Board President, if you are interested in joining our organization Membership Drive PLEASE LEND A HELPING PAW! Volume 2 ~ Issue 2 Join the Humane Society of Grove and Grand Lake today and become an EVERYDAY HERO! 2010 Membership Application is the last page of this newsletter. Please complete and return along with your tax-deductible check to the Humane Society. Your 2010 Membership Pledge will make a difference in the lives of the many animals that have been abandoned or surrendered each year to our no-kill shelter. And we hope you enjoy the Humane Society Newsletter for 2010!

2 Coming Up...Mardi Paws Benefit Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler - Let the Good Times Roll to help the homeless animals! Come join the Mardi Paws a Party for the Animals! The Humane Society is hosting its annual Mardi Paws benefit on Saturday, March 20, at Big Shots on Monkey Island. The party starts at 6:30 pm with a cash bar and hor d oeuvres. A fabulous buffet dinner will be served at 7:30 pm followed by a Live Auction of fun and fabulous items for everyone! Many wonderful Silent Auction items will be available for everyone to grab up as well. You are invited to dress in costume, but it is not required to join in the fun! Plan now for an exceptional night of fun and entertainment. Tickets are $35 per person to be purchased in advance of the event. Contact Kelly Whitehead at , Marion Metcalf at , Lori Follis at , or Carol Rice at for tickets. Tickets may also be purchased from the Humane Society ( ) or The Shebang Restaurant on Monkey Island ( ). New Humane Society Management and Shelter Staff Please join us in welcoming our new Shelter Manager, Lorri McPherson. Lorri and her husband, Jim, have looked forward to retiring in Grove since they purchased a lake home 3 years ago. She has one son and three grandchildren; one girl and two boys. Lorri has spent the past 5 years in Joplin where she acquired some of her extensive business management experience. Lorri was born and raised in Clarksville, Missouri, a small town and the highest point on the Mississippi, northeast of St. Louis. She lived in the country growing up and had a lot of animals. Her Front: Lorri, Natalie, Amber Back: Brett, Stephanie, Kim, Scott father kept 20 hunting dogs all the time and there were barn cats galore. Joining Lorri is a staff who do everything they can to make our fourlegged residences as happy and as comfortable as possible. They are saints and deserve much praise and thanks for a job well done. Be sure to visit the shelter and meet Lorri and the staff and take a tour of our facility. Help Our Community STOP the Pet Overpopulation Crisis Pet overpopulation...the facts are simple. There are just too many pets and not enough homes. The pet overpopulation problem has reached a crisis state, and the Humane Society of Grove and Grand Lake is dedicated to helping end this crisis by offering low-cost spaying and neutering services for the public. Like the rest of the nation, the Grand Lake area faces an overwhelming pet overpopulation crisis that overburdens our no-kill facility and the local city animal shelter. The widespread failure to spay or neuter pets results in homelessness, misery, cruelty, and death for these unwanted animals. Quite simply, spaying or neutering is the ONLY way to end the pet overpopulation tragedy. The Humane Society offers low-cost spay/neuter clinics for dogs and cats by appointment only. Animals are registered at the Humane Society prior to the appointment and payment is due at the time of registration. Cost of the procedure is $65 for dogs and $45 for cats. A small price to pay to help your pet, your community, and you! Please read more about Why You Should Spay/Neuter Your Pet and Myths and Facts of Spay/Neuter on our website at Please take the time today to make an appointment for your pet by contacting either the Humane Society or your veterinarian. Second Chance Thrift Store Great Bargains, Great Cause! Have you visited our Second Chance Thrift Store yet? It is the red building located next to the Humane Society animal shelter where you can find great bargains on new and gently used clothing for children and adults, household items, furniture, collectibles, jewelry, antiques, books and much, much more! Our staff are all volunteers who love animals and want to help! All proceeds generated at the Thrift Store directly benefit the Humane Society and help care for our four-legged residences. So the public s patronage and continued support of our little store is important and appreciated. You will be pleasantly surprised at the merchandise that is for sale in the Second Chance Thrift Store. Got some items in your home that you no longer need or have room for? We will happily accept the donation of new or gently used, quality merchandise we can resell. Drop offs are accepted at the Thrift Store. (Please, if you don t think you could resell the items, we probably can t either.) Thrift Store Items We Can Use: New or Gently Used Clothing, Shoes, Household Goods, Dishes, Kitchenware, Small Kitchen Appliances, Towels, Linens, Blankets, Jewelry, Furniture, Collectibles Antiques, Framed Art, Books, DVDs, CDs, Videos Not Accepting These Items: TV s, Computers, Printers, Paint, Old Stereos, Mattress and Box Springs Remember, all donations are tax deductible. Your donations are always appreciated and needed. For more details about making a donation to our Second Chance Thrift Store, call Shirley Daggett, Manager, at

3 If you want to help, you could join our new Foster Parent Program. Do you have extra room in your heart and home? Have you thought you would like to help the Humane Society but aren t sure how? How about being a foster parent? The shelter has started a new Foster Care Program and needs help from those who are willing to make a commitment. The Canine Foster Program is not a means to temporarily own or try out a dog. It is an important and often life-saving alternative to shelter life for specifically selected dogs with special needs, such as injured animals that need immediate attention and time to recuperate. The Humane Society also has a number of shy/under socialized dogs. We feel it would be best for these dogs to be put into a temporary foster home for a period of time to slowly socialize them and get them ready for a happy, normal life. Throughout the year we need homes that can house and socialize kittens who are currently too young for adoption. Sometimes they have nursing mothers, sometimes they don t. Sometimes they need medication and extra care. The foster homes may be needed for as little as one week or needed for a longer length of time, depending on the situation. This is a great way for children and adults alike to get their kitten fix, to help educate family and friends about all of the unplanned litters, and to help the shelter at the same time. Fostering can be a tough but rewarding experience. You will watch babies grow, or watch an animal go from sad and hurting to healthy, happy and ready to take on the world. Being a foster parent is not for all, but if you feel you could help, contact the shelter for more information or go to our website at to read about this new program. Humane Society Statistics for 2009 If you are thinking of adopting a pet or know someone who is, please visit the Humane Society of Grove and Grand Lake. Our animal shelter is full of wonderful dogs and cats waiting for that special family to adopt them. We are a no-kill animal rescue shelter because we believe all of God s creatures deserve a chance. So many adopted families have said a shelter animal makes a wonderful pet it appreciates the chance to be a part of a family and gives so much love in return. Our desire is to find each and every animal living at our shelter a loving home. Many of the animals have found their way to our shelter because of abandonment, homelessness or cruelty. They often require extensive medical care until they are available for adoption. Each animal is also spayed or neutered and given routine vaccinations. It costs a lot for medical care, food supplies, and a caring staff to watch over these animals 7 days a week. Visit our shelter today or view some of our pets on Petfinder.com. And please spay/neuter your pets to help us end the pet overpopulation crisis. SPOTLIGHT Florence Vicky Willie Sterling Cocoa Scrappy Why We Are Here Onyx and Macy are two dogs that luckily found their way to the Humane Society albeit a sad story to share. Both Onyx and Macy were chained to a bumper of a truck and dragged down a country road. Onyx sustained severe friction burns to his chest and knees and his paws were rubbed raw. The Humane Society took custody of both dogs and immediately began to pay for their medical care which has exceeded $700. These dogs are now healthy and loving despite how they had been treated and what they have gone through. They are ready to be adopted by loving families that will teach them about compassion and caring. This is just one of many stories about the mission of the Humane Society to end the unjust cruelty to helpless creatures. But we need help from individuals that care as much as we do.

4 Memories our loved ones... Courtney Many who visit an animal shelter aren't interested in adopting an older dog because of preconceived issues. Everyone wants a cute, cuddly puppy. But our adoption of Courtney was a gift of love and compassion, and we want to share our story. Courtney was born at the shelter and had been living there for four long years. She was half Pit and Rottweiler, and a black dog, which almost guaranteed her not being adopted. No one took notice of her and her sweet personality as she would hide in her kennel when people walked by. After the loss of one of our beloved dogs, our family decided to foster from the animal shelter and chose Courtney. She was brought home and introduced to the other two and four-legged family members. She was timid at first. She wouldn't travel far from the back door even though she had a large back yard to play in. The family gave her attention and showed her she was safe. Slowly she became more comfortable in her surroundings. Before long, the house and the back yard became her domain. We marveled at the once timid dog that had very little interaction with people had become so friendly and loving. After a short time, the family knew she was a perfect fit for our family, and adoption papers were completed. After 4 long years, Courtney finally had a loving family and a forever home. Our family loved, played, and cared for Courtney with all our hearts, and she returned her love for us in every way. Sadly, due to complications from surgery, she passed away after only one year with our family. Our hearts are saddened by her sudden passing. We miss our little girl very much, but we know in our hearts we gave her the very best year of her life. And in return, she gave us one of the best experiences of ours. In memory of Courtney, beloved adopted pet of the Linda Miller Family. Dory misses you too! 2 In Our Heart We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. We thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. We think of you in silence. We often speak your name. Now all we have are memories, and your picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake, with which we ll never part. God has you in his keeping. We have you in our heart. In Loving Memory of Ginger Beloved Pet of Carol and Tom Rice January 6, 2000 January 14, 2009 Ha y Tails Succe Stories Button's Story Shanna Hallmark and Daniel Madewell, who live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, adopted Button from the Humane Society in Grove. Button, a female Boston Terrier mix, entered the shelter in September of 2009 at 3 months of age. She was found abandoned on a road and brought to the Humane Society. She was fostered by a shelter volunteer until ready for adoption. Once Button's picture appeared in the local newspapers as "Pet of the Week" and on our Petfinder website, the calls started pouring in to the Humane Society's shelter. Shanna was the first person to call, and that was all it took to place this sweet Boston Terrier Mix in her new home. Shanna already had a male Boston Terrier Mix named Little Bear and was looking for a companion for him. Button and Little Bear look so much alike and have become great companions for one another. Pictured are Daniel with Button and Shanna with Little Bear. 2 Seymore's Story Paula McCreight of Monkey Island, Oklahoma, is a cat person. She came to the Humane Society in September of 2009 after a friend saw that there were special discounted adoption fees for cats. She had her mind made up already as to the kind of cat she was looking for - a female cat less than a year old with light colored fur so as not to show up so much on her light colored furniture. But it seemed that Seymore the Cat had different ideas! You see, Seymore is a special needs male cat, about 2 years old, that needed a home. He decided that home was with Paula! The volunteer at the Humane Society took Paula to the cat room to find a cat that met Paula's requirements. While Paula was searching for her perfect cat, the volunteer picked up Seymore to give him some love and attention. And Seymore did his special thing be the most p-u-r-r-fect cat in the place. Paula started asking questions about Seymore, and immediately fell in love with this very special cat! Seymore is vision impaired and needed to find a home where someone would keep him indoors and carefully watch over him, but being vision impaired didn't change how loving a cat he is. Paula saw this and knew Seymore needed her and she him. She tells us that Seymore is fascinating to watch. He adjusted very quickly to his new surroundings by walking close to the walls. He now has figured out the entire house and navigates everywhere with no problems. He has gained weight, is constantly purring, and every day brings joy and delight to her life. Yes, Seymore needed a home, and he found that special home with Paula. Pictured are Paula McCreight and Seymore

5 The Humane Society of the United States Launches First National Puppy Mill Tip Line Dogs Don t Deserve Lifetime Confinement for the Sake of Profit To help end the misery associated with large-scale dog breeding operations known as puppy mills, The Humane Society of the United States has launched a national telephone tip line and encourages callers to report suspected cruelty or unlawful activities involving such breeding facilities. The hotline, MILL-TIP, is available to anyone with information of a possible crime involving puppy mills but particularly welcomes information from those with insider knowledge, or from law enforcement officials who might be aware of such operations. Puppy mills are a national scourge, said Justin Scally, manager of The HSUS Wilde Puppy Mill Task Force. Hundreds of thousands of dogs across the country are trapped in constant confinement their entire lives, producing puppies to profit the puppy mill owner. This tip line will be a vital tool to help free these dogs from a life of abuse. The Wilde Puppy Mill Task Force, named in honor of Kenneth and Lillian Wilde, investigates puppy mills and works with law enforcement, animal shelters and other agencies to stop abuse and to ensure enforcement of existing laws. The task force also provides expert guidance to local, state and federal agencies in the prosecution of animal abusers as it relates to the operation of puppy mills. Since its launch in June, the Task Force has assisted in the rescue of more than 1,200 dogs and puppies from abusive situations at puppy mills. Puppy Mill Facts: Dogs at puppy mills typically receive little to no medical care, live in squalid conditions with no exercise, socialization or human interaction, and are confined inside cramped wire cages for life. Breeding dogs at puppy mills must endure constant breeding cycles. Dogs from puppy mills are sold in pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog s health, genetic history or future welfare. Consumers should never buy a puppy from a pet store or Internet site; instead visit an animal shelter, breed rescue group, or visit a breeder s home and meet the puppy s parents. The HSUS supports compassionate breeders who provide for their dog s physical and mental well-being. Quality breeders don t sell puppies through pet stores or over the Internet. Read more about puppy mills on: humanesociety.org/puppymills. Volunteers Needed Our volunteers are so important to our mission. If you have time to spare and would like to spend it where your time and energy can truly make a difference, the Humane Society welcomes you to join a dedicated and hard-working team. Check out our website at for a list of volunteer opportunities, or you can send an to hsgrove@att.net with your area of interest and a phone number where you can be reached. A volunteer coordinator will work with you to match your skills and interest to an opportunity to help our furry friends. Immediate volunteers are needed to help plan one of our biggest and best parties of the year the Mardi Paws 2010! And it is all to raise money for the animals! Help is needed now to contact sponsors for silent and live auction items. Please contact Carol Rice at if you can help with this year's benefit. The committee would love to have you join the celebration. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of homeless animals! 2 Donations Needed Caring for hundreds of animals each year requires a lot of love, patience and especially products. The Humane Society is always in need of the following items: Pedigree Adult & Puppy Dry Dog Food Iams Adult & Kitten Dry Cat Food Laundry Soap Dish Soap Bleach Liquid Disinfectant Large Trash Bags Small Plastic Disposable Containers (i.e., margarine containers) Newspapers Office Supplies Be Green and recycle all your aluminum cans for the Humane Society!! We accept donations of aluminum cans throughout the entire year, which we sell at a recycling plant for much needed revenue. Spring Cleaning? Don't forget about us! A frayed towel or a faded blanket is just the ticket. Our kitties like to cuddle and our puppies are sometimes chilly. Check out our entire Wish List on our website. PUPPY MILLS

6 Return Service Requested NON-PROFIT NO-KILL ANIMAL SHELTER P. O. Box Grove, OK Membership Application Cut Along Dotted Line PLEASE LEND A HELPING PAW! BASIC MEMBERSHIP r Student (16 & Under)... $10 r Individual..... $25 r Family..... $50 r Business..... $50 r Annual Angel... $100 PAWS MEMBERSHIP r Bronze Paw... $250-$499 r Silver Paw... $500-$999 r Golden Paw..... $1,000+ ADDITIONAL DONATION $ SPONSORSHIP $ on the day of each month beginning. DATE Name Address City State Zip Home Phone Cell Phone Address (for E-Bulletins) Make checks payable to: Humane Society of Grove & Grand Lake - P.O. Box /Grove,OK JOIN TODAY & BECOME AN EVERYDAY HERO! HSnewsletter2010.indd 4 1/31/10 5:35:44 PM