The Barker! By Christin Klimek, LAHS Director

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1 The Barker! Newsletter of the Lakes Area Humane Society Winter 2010 In this Issue Page 2 In the Know: Rabies Page 3 Kids Make a Difference Pages 4 & 5 Letters From Home Pages 6 & 7 Wishes & Donations Page 8 Successful Fundraising Page 9 Memberships Opportunity Calendar 5K/10 Run-Walk September 17th Big Ole Park 6:30 am Annual Holiday Bake Sale Sat. December 11th Viking Plaza Mall 9:00 to 1:00 Additional Opportunities to be Announced! Greetings from the shelter! By Christin Klimek, LAHS Director Help Us, Help Them A very simple, but profound request. As individuals who share the common goal of making the Alexandria community and surrounding areas a better place for animals, we know how important it is to share opportunities that allow you to be a part of reaching this goal. For the upcoming year, the LAHS board of directors and staff has set a goal of increasing the number of members who provide the annual support that helps us, help them. The powerful network of concerned individuals like yourself has allowed the Lakes Area Humane Society to provide shelter, vaccinations, altering and medical care for over 17,000 animals since the shelter was opened to the public 11½ years ago. Since you are already part of our membership network, you may wondering how increasing the number of LAHS members concerns you. We know that you are passionate about animals and it is very likely that you know others that share that passion. Increasing our membership network is as simple as each of our members taking the time to ask to ask one or two of those people to consider becoming a member. This is how memberships make an impact: $500 can cover the cost housing, medical care and food for five adoptive pets. $100 could cover the cost of altering one adoptive pet. $50 could cover the cost of vaccinations and Heartworm/Lyme testing for two adoptive dogs. $25 could cover the cost of vaccinations and testing for one adoptive cat. So, I challenge you to help us, help them this year by increasing and strengthening our caring network this year! Our membership form is located on page 9, please pass on it. Persons or businesses who would like to complete their membership on-line can go to: and select the membership tab. New this year if an individual selects a membership level of $50 or more, they will receive LAHS business card holder and keychain as a thank you for their support! LAHS is on Facebook! Join us and we will keep you updated on pets that are available for adoption, upcoming events and opportunities!

2 In the Know.Rabies Rabies infection is caused by the rabies virus. The virus is spread through the saliva of infected animals. Infected animals can spread the virus by biting another animal or human. In rare cases, rabies can be spread when infected saliva gets into an open wound or the mucous membranes, such as the mouth or eyes. This could occur if an infected animal were to lick an open cut on your skin. The virus is deadly and there isn t a specific treatment for rabies infection. However, if the victim seeks medical attention immediately, a series of injections can be given to prevent the virus from infecting him/her. In 2009, the MN Department of Animal Health reported that there were 79 animals that had tested positive for Rabies. The breakdown of these infected animals were as follows: Bat 29 Skunk 27 Cat 5 Dog 4 Cow 3 Horse 1 It is important to note that ANY mammal can transmit rabies (such as, but not limited to, raccoons, foxes, woodchucks, coyotes, goats, rabbits and ferrets). To reduce the chance of you or your pet being exposed to rabies, you can: Vaccinate your pets. Cats, dogs and ferrets can be vaccinated against rabies. Ask your veterinarian how soon and how often your pets should be vaccinated. Keep your pets confined. Keep your pets inside and supervise them when outside. This will help keep your pets from coming in contact with wild animals. Protect small pets from predators. Keep rabbits and other small pets, such as guinea pigs, inside or in protected cages so that they are safe from wild animals. These small pets can't be vaccinated against rabies. Report stray animals to local authorities. Call your local animal control officials or other local law enforcement to report stray dogs and cats. Don't approach or feed wild/stray animals. Wild animals with rabies may seem unafraid of people. It's not normal for a wild animal to be friendly with people, so stay away of any animal that seems unafraid. Keep bats out of your home. Seal any cracks and gaps where bats can enter your home. If you know you have bats in your home, work with a local expert to find ways to keep bats out. 2

3 KIDS..making a difference! AAbout LAHS Mission To promote responsible care and training for household pets through education and public awareness and, when appropriate, to provide a safe and sheltering haven for lost and abandoned animals pending placement in suitable permanent homes. Location/Contact Huge THANK YOU to Dinara Dykema who organized a supply and donation drive for the shelter! Look at all the wonderful items she received! In addition, she also raised money for medical care of the animals at the shelter. Also, big thanks goes out to the Community Education Class for their Animal Service Project! The group made soft fleece blanket beds for the shelter cats to use and go home with their new adoptive families! In addition, the group had a tour to learn about the shelter, responsible animal care and safety. Fun day was had by all! 3811 Nevada Street SW Alexandria, MN lahs@gctel.net Shelter Hours Monday & Wednesday 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Thursday & Friday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Saturday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Board of Directors Wendy Hyatt, Past Presdient Karrie Bahr, President Kris Krieger, Vice Presdient Amanda Scheenberger, Treasurer Kelly Smith, Secretary Sherilee Hansen Stacy Livingston JoAnna Meduna Shelter Staff Christin Klimek, Ex. Director Sara Clasemann Joan Becker Mercedes Klimek April Klinghagen Nancy Klimek 3

4 Letters From Home Ailee Adopted by Jessica K. Baxter, adopted by Scott L. Lucy, adopted by the Perhus Family with her favorite family member!

5 Hi, this is "Flinn", from last spring! How is everyone at the Lakes Day Care Center? I am doing fine with my owner Bob. I eat good, play hard, and have a lot of fun. I must have gained 10 pound since I left there. I was kind of bad at first. And we didn t see eye to eye on many things. Now I've learned to listen better and I don't have to walk with a leash very often. The good life, don't ya know? It's great what you do for us dogs and cats. Keep up the good work! Well, I have to get off the PC before I get in trouble. I'm not allowed to play with the laptop anymore since I tried to sell the neighbors cat on,e-bay one day. Take care! love "Flinn" Maggie adopted by the Dean family pictured here with her camera-shy buddy!

6 Another Letters From Home Thank you all! It s because of places like LAHS and people like you that Rambo received a second chance and his forever home! My grandson, Danny received him on Sunday and already both he and his brothers/sisters love Rambo very much! You all do great work! Thanks again, Gina T. Shelter Wish List. Postage Stamps (both postcard and 1st class) Kitten and Puppy Food (Purina or Iams) Bleach Paper Towels Laundry Detergent (HE Type) Copy Paper Bright Colored Copy Paper Business Sized Envelopes Dish Detergent Lysol-Lemon or Fresh Scents Scented Candles

7 Thanks...for Helping Us Make a Difference! Persons who donated money on Honor of July thru September 2010 Sheri & Michael Miller in honor of Buddy Persons who donated money in Memory of July thru September 2010 Julia Allen in memory of Mark & Amy Opp s dog Josie Mark & Amy Opp in memory of Josie Robert & Judith Neessen in memory of Phillis Kinney Chris & Maddi Meville in memory of Cleo & Bailey Saundra Benson in memory of Charlotte Myhre s, Spunky Marlys Benson in memory of Charlotte Myhre s, Spunky Persons who donated monies May thru September John Zdrazil Betty Sue Lee Ellen Bangtson Osakis Combined Charities Meyer s Photography Studio Maureen Elliot Doug & Diane Jewson Bonnie Boe Nick Klimek Robert Barkley Garrett Steiner Darlene Murray Chris Barrows ITW Foundation Kris & Chuck Krieger Network For Good Darlene & Ted Burgeson Chet Seiford Shelley Anderson Robert Braun Lance & Andrea Norsworthy Marge Spinner Tastefully Simple Finance & Accounting Team Coni & Tom McKay Duwayne Lund Pamela Saylor Loreen Madson Julia Allen Barbara Wanquist Mark & Amy Opp Sheila Hegg Shirley Engeldorf Sheila Spartz Pam Rooney Marilyn Barry Chuck Torrens Diana Knauf Kathleen Carlson Steven & Marie Anderson Robert & Judith Neessen Theresa Zajac Paul Blom Chris & Maddi Melville Colleen & Marc Ouimet Raymond Raml Saundra Benson Marlys Benson Marvin Werman Sheri & Michael Miller William & Elizabeth Heegaard Deanne Moritz Cathryn Elverum Denise Croskey Alanna Parker

8 Thanks...for Helping Us Make a Difference! Happily Ever After Garage Sale On, Saturday, June 5th, the LAHS our annual "Happily Ever After Garage Sale"! The sale was held at the Runestone Community Center, at the DC Fairground and we were so pleased to have received so many wonderful items donated by our members and community. Due to this generosity, nearly $1900 was raised for the shelter. A total of 27 volunteers put in an amazing 241 hours to get the items sorted, set up, run the sale and clean up after. Wow! LAHS would like offer a HUGE Thank you to all these dedicated volunteers who donated their time to make the sale such a success! Alexandria 5K/10K Run Fundraiser The Lakes Area Humane Society held it s 4th Annual Alexandria 5K/10K Run this past September. This exciting event brought over individuals to participate in the 5K, 10K, 1K Kid s Run and Dog Walk! The event was certified and sanctioned by the US Track & Field Association. In addition, all runners were provided timing chips to record their official times. Participants in all events received a long-sleeve commemorative t-shirt and goody bag to take home. Runners finishing in the top three of each event in their age category received medals. Nearly $3500 was raised for the shelter! Thanks to the all of the volunteers and planners that made this a fun and successful event! Special Thank You to our Sponsors... Dr. Lande Evansville Auto Viking Savings Bank Millerville Cooperative Alternative Healthcare Sun Opta Staff

9 Memberships New & Renewals July thru September 2010 Verle & Jan Hammer Deborah Bryant, DVM Richard & Arlene Howe Rita Winters Rebecca & Thomas Wilkinson Mary Pohl Carma Tucker Donna & David Edmunds Coni & Tom McKay Amanda & Keith Albertsen Lee & Patricia Hutchins Gary & Judy Vorachek Michael & Mary Schmidt Clayton & Sue Lewis Gene & Connie Rasmusen Vicky Olson Philip Yeutter Mark & Betty Trumm William & Elizabeth Heegaard Irene Morse Curtis & Becky Vokaty Stephen & Sandra Bogenrief Myrtle Trenne Judith Melville Scott Monson N. Jeanne Cannady Duane & Lana Rau Edward & Deanna Anderson Raymond Raml Judith Rost Ellen Bangtson Rebecca Albright Theresa Kakac Phyllis Hullett Allan Olk

10 NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #29 ALEXANDRIA, MN Lakes Area Humane Society 3811 Nevada Street SW Alexandria, MN Return Service Requested The Lakes Area Humane Society is actively seeking members of the community who are committed to making a difference for animals to serve on our Board of Directors! Prospective candidates should have a desire to give of their time and expertise to promote LAHS and its services through community outreach and fundraising events. In addition, they will be an iatrical part of the creation and execution of strategic plans to uphold the mission and future of the organization. For more information please contact Christin at or lahs@gctel.net.