CCHS Volunteer Newletter
September 2003
Hello Everyone!
I know all of you have been waiting to hear the official total from the adoptathon, so I won't make you wait any longer. The adoptathon was a big success with 120 pets finding new homes. The best news from the Adopt-A-Thon is that Kate and Lauren were among the adopted dogs! They finally found their new home after waiting patiently for over 6 months, and yes, they went home together! Thanks to everyone that helped during the adoptathon, it wouldn't be possible without you!
However, the Adopt-A-Thon is not the highlight of the news this month. The big news is that August has once again become a record month. August 2003 has now replaced August 2002 for the best month for adoptions in CCHS History. We placed an astounding 339 pets into new homes during August, that's 30 adoptions more than last August! The cats Tamara, Mocha and Rocker were among those that found homes this month. Hurray to all of them, and to Kate and Lauren; we hope they are all enjoying their new homes!
There will not be any shelter events this month, but we will be participating in Prairieland Feeds Pet Fair on September 13th and 14th. Please let me know if you can help by Thursday September 11th. I still need volunteers to help during the following shifts:
Saturday the 13th: Sunday the 14th:
1 pm to 3 pm 1 pm to 3 pm
3 pm to 5 pm 3 pm to 5 pm
I will also need one person from the first shift on Sunday and someone from the last shift both days to transport animals from or to the shelter. Please let me know if you are willing to help with the transporting.
There will be an Adoption Counselor class on October 19th and 26th (both Sunday's) From 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Space is limited, so if you arinterested in the class, please sign up soon. I will need anyone interested to sign up by Monday October 13th. If you would like more information on Adoption Counseling before you sign up, please let me know so I can send you the information before the class begins.
We have increased the number of cats we keep for adoption at Petsmart from 6 to 12. With the increase in cats, comes an increase in the need for Cat Socializers to go to Petsmart. If you are interested in spending time with cats at Petsmart let me know so we can set up an informational training
session to give you all the information that is required. All Petsmart shifts are scheduled so we can get volunteers out there on a regular basis, so please be willing to commit to at least one day every month (same day each month). Please note that you will have some contact with the public, so you will need to be willing to talk to people about the cats and give out basic information about CCHS.
Don't forget to mark your calendar for the Humane Society's "A Fetching Ball" dinner and auction. This year it will be held will be held on Friday, November 7th. We are still collecting prizes for the event; so if you have any ideas for a prize, or any leads on a prize, please let me know. I will also need some volunteers to help out the night of the event, from 5:00 to 10:30 pm. Please let me know if you would like to help with Fetch, and what shift you want to sign up for, by Saturday November 1st. The Shifts will run as follows:
All evening: 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Check In: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Check Out: 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Yuppers: 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
(Yuppers will be responsible for "yupping" when someone bids during the live auction. This will help the auctioneer find the bidders in a timely manner. Yuppers should be willing to be in the spotlight as you will draw attention to yourself, and should have a loud voice to be heard over the crowd in the room. All evening shift will be given jobs as they are needed, but should be willing to do both check in and check out. Please note that you may be asked to be a yupper if we need the help.)
I have a few reminders to pass on to everyone:
- Please update your information if you have moved or changed your phone or
email in the last 6 months. I have update forms in the file cabinet for you
to fill out when you come in, or you can also email or call me with the
updated information.
-Please remember that Volunteers are not allowed in the Stray Ward under
any circumstances. Isolation and Kitten Nursery should only be entered if
you have permission from myself or Dr. Shirley and have been trained in
handling the animals in these rooms. These restrictions are set in place to
protect you and the other animals in the shelter.
-If you would like to bring someone with you when you volunteer, you must
let me know prior to coming out to the shelter. We need the notification so
we can make sure the person will be covered by our insurance in the event
that something happens (i.e., a bite, or scratch that gets infected and
needs treatment, etc.).
-Please remember to return all items you use to their proper location when
you are finished using them (leashes, combs, etc.) We all need to work
together to keep the supplies in place for everyone to use.
-Dogwalkers, please remember that the only dogs allowed outside will have
their names listed on the board. If their name is not on the dogwalking
board, they are not allowed outside. This may be due to age, health, or
other restrictions.
Amazingly enough, Fall has arrived. The break in the heat and humidity is being enjoyed by everyone, including the dogs and the cats! Thanks to everyone that stuck thru the miserable temperatures and got the dogs outside for a much needed walk, the dogs benefit from you every day. And to those that came in to give the cats some of the attention they crave every day, we want to thank you for making the trip out when it was much easier to stay home in the air conditioning! The cats are noticeably happier when they have gotten some attention.
All of the CCHS Volunteers are a valuable asset to our organization, and your dedication to the pets in our care is greatly appreciated by all of the staff and animals. Thank you for your time, we couldn't do this without you!
Julie
Julie Keith
Volunteer Coordinator
Champaign County Humane Society
1911 East Main Street &Mac240; Urbana, IL 61802
Julie@cuhumane.org &Mac240; www.cuhumane.org
(217) 344-9314 Phone &Mac240; (217) 344-7299 Fax