As the end of the year approaches, I sit and think of all of the wonderful things volunteers have done for this organization over the past 12 months.  The humane society has never looked better, due to the teamwork our staff and volunteers put into renovations and repairs.  Our animal socializers have been helping with keeping our resident pets as stress free as possible.  Lab volunteers help our medical staff with physical exams, lab work and medical treatments.  There’s no way I can possibly list off of the great things you all have done, but you should know that each of you has contributed something special to this organization.  The Champaign County Humane Society would not be able to survive without the support of its volunteers.  We thank you for your continued hard work and dedication.  Together, we can help make next year even better!
 
Great News – Special Animal Adoptions
 
Another great month has gone by with some fantastic animals getting wonderful forever families!  Our biggest success story of the month is Kazoo – that wonderful black cat who spent a long sixteen months here with us at the humane society.  Two other staff and volunteer kitty favorites that found homes include Bayles, who was with us for seven months and Vesta, who spent five months with us.  These guys had a great stay due to your hard work and now they are placed in loving families.  Everyone remembers that little black lab mix named Puppie, well he was adopted to a great family, as well as the boxer mix named Rugby!  For those of you small animal lovers, some of our long term hamster residents found homes, too!  North America and South America were adopted, and they will be able to stay together!  It’s been a great month, keep up the good work!
 
Announcements
 

• Don’t forget, we will be holding our annual “Home for the Holidays” in-house adopt-a-thon December 10th and 11th (hours are 11:00am – 6:00pm both days).  We will need lots of extra help to make sure the humane society is in tip-top shape, extra hands to ensure that all of our kitties have blankets and toys and that all of our dogs have their daily walks and toys in their runs.  We will also need additional help during the event to direct visitor traffic, answer questions and assist with animal handling.  There is a sign up sheet on the announcement board in the Volunteer Center – sign up for your shift there!  If you can’t make it in to sign up, just send me an e-mail!  Thanks so much!
• When December 31st hits, we will be able to tally the last of our volunteer hours and you will be able to learn what our amazing volunteer hour totals for the year, so look for that in the January volunteer newsletter!
• Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped us before, during and after our annual auction, “A Fetching Ball”.  The event was a great success and we have a preliminary total of $30,000!!  This is an amazing event and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without you!
• A big thanks to Harriett Weatherford, who organized and staffed the CCHS booth at Chris Cringle Craft Show this year.  We surpassed our goal of raising $3,000.  Everything that was sold at this event was homemade by a troop of dedicated volunteers, so thanks to everyone who contributed!
• You may remember the announcement last month about the event put on by the CU DIVAs at Esquire Lounge – we have heard from the DIVAs and they were able to raise an amazing $3,137 to benefit the Champaign County Humane Society.  The event was very fun and a great way to spread the word about our mission!
• Do you crochet?  Contact me about ways your talent can help the humane society raise money!
• My work schedule has changed (again).  I will be in the office Tuesday through Saturday in the early afternoon (generally 10-4).  Thursdays are going to be dedicated to office work, so if you need me, please try for Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. 
   
  

Reminders
 

• Cat Socializers: It has come to my attention that volunteers have been taking cats outside of the building.  Our cats are handled every day by our dedicated volunteers and do not need ‘fresh air’.  Having a cat outside runs the risk of them getting away from you, even if you have a leash on them.  They also might be frightened by any dogs or people that approach.  When socializing with cats, please be sure to keep them inside the humane society.
• Laundry volunteers:  Thank you for remembering to wash surgical towels separately from regular laundry.  When you wash these, please put them all in a laundry basket and give them to the front desk staff.  Surgical towels should not be put on the shelves in the laundry room.  Thanks!
• Dog Walkers:  Please make sure you take your towel to the laundry room when you are finished for the day.  Also, be sure you use the towel at every door to make sure that the floors stay clean and dry, keeping the shelter looking great, and allowing the hallways to be safer.
• Don’t forget that we are closed on both Christmas day and New Year’s Day.  The day before any closed holiday we end visiting hours at 4:00pm.  We still need volunteers to come in on both holidays, so let me know if you are interested!

Notable Notes
 

We will have our 2005 adoption totals available in next month’s newsletter, so make sure you keep your eye out for that!
 
Quotable Quotes

 
It’s that time!  We are going to take votes for your favorite quote from our Quotable Quotes section of the newsletter.  Check out the list of the monthly winners and choose your favorite.  Just send me an e-mail with the subject of “QUOTE CONTEST VOTE” or leave me a voicemail.  The deadline for votes is December 20th, so make sure you cast your vote!  We should have the results ready for you in next month’s newsletter!
 

1. “If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” ~ Will Rodgers
   
2. “My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already things I am.” ~ Anonymous
   
3. “It was the first time I remember being truly happy.  It’s selfish, really, but if I can make them feel safe for just one day, then it makes me feel good, you know, happy, in my heart and it’s only in the company of animals that I feel that way.” ~ Randy Grim
   
4. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring – it was peace.” ~ Milan Kundera
5. “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” ~ Roger Caras
6. “Cats rule, dogs drool!” ~ Sassy the cat from Homeward Bound
7. “My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can…that’s almost $21.00 in dog money!” ~ Joe Weinstein
8. “The average dog is nicer than the average person.” ~ Andy Rooney
9. “The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.” ~ Unknown
    
   Happy Holidays and have a safe New Year!
    
    You’re our life source! ~ Katie Widlacki
    
    
   Katie Widlacki
   Volunteer Coordinator
   Champaign County Humane Society
   1911 East Main Street
   Urbana, Il 61802
   2.volunteer@cuhumane.org ~ www.cuhumane.org
   Phone: (217) 344-7297 ~ Fax: (217) 344-7299