10 Ways To Help Your Local Shelter.

source: www.aspca.org

You don't have to be an animal expert to help your community's local shelter. You just need to have the time and the desire to lend a helping hand. And it doesn't have to be a lot of time, either. In fact, whatever you do for a living, you're bound to have skills and talents that your local shelter can use.

1. Go to school! Dog school, that is. Grab a handful of tasty treats, find a suitable canine, and get to class. Helping teach shelter dogs to sit, stay, walk calmly on a leash, come, or shake paws will make them infinitely more adoptable.
2. Get your shelter online. Can you give your community's homeless animals the "cybershelter" advantage? This is a wonderful way for teens who aren't yet old enough to become volunteers to get involved. They can take pictures and develop short bios for each dog.
3. Design a computer Program. If you are a techie, consider customizing a management program than can help adopters select the right pet for them.
4. Let's make it legal! Shelters always seem to be in need of volunteers with professional legal skills. And joining the Animal Legal Defense Fund is a good way to help.
5. Work it, baby! Designated a day for coworkers to donate spare change or pool their tips for the benefit of the shelter. Make it an event! Publicize it with flyer's and signs, and remind everyone about the important work that the shelter does.
6. Cats, up close and personal. You may want to satisfy your need for feline contact by spending time socializing shelter cats. They (volunteers) spend time each day playing with the cats, getting to know them, grooming them, and generally keeping them as happy as they can be, given the inherent stress of being in a shelter. And based on input from "feline socializers," adoption counselors can make better placements.
7. Do you have the "write" stuff? Write or start a newsletter! It's a great way to keep members, supporters, adopters, and the public informed about what the shelter does and what it needs. Many shelters rely on volunteers to write articles, and some newsletters are produced entirely by volunteers. Be sure to include heartwarming stories and a donation envelope!
8. Throw a party. Organize an event for all your friends, and donate the proceeds to the shelter. Any kind of social event - a clam bake, a Super Bowl Party, a jazz brunch, or a dog walk - is a great way to make new friends and raise money.
9. If you had a hammer. If you're handy, then you are hired! Go to your local shelter and ask if they have any renovations they need done.
10. The numbers game. Shelters on a shoestring can reap enormous benefits from the guidance of a caring accountant. To operate smoothly, any nonprofit must keep good records.
Don't know where your local shelter is? Go to www.aspca.org for a list.

No-Kill Shelter Does an Adopt-A-Thon in Pullman Square.

source: I was on the square today and saw this going on and went over to check it out. I also see where the Herald Dispatch had a small story on this event.

Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, Little Victories No-Kill Shelter was at Pullman Square with some volunteers and a small number of dogs and cats for their Adopt-A-Thon. The shelter is located on Wire Branch Road, Ona, WV. Wire Branch Rd. is on the right as you are heading up Rt. 60 toward Milton. Start looking on your right after you come up the hill from passing Cabell Midland H.S. The road is marked with a green road sign. The money collected will go to funding for care of the shelter dogs and cats, and for the spay or neuter. To learn more about this great organization, go to their website at www.littlevictories.org.

Fundraiser to help Putnam Animal Relief Center

source: Herald Dispatch - online

On January 12th, 2008, from 6-10pm, a fundraiser called the "Fur Ball" will be held at the Charleston WV Cultural Center. Tickets are $100.00 per person and the funds will go help build a new Putnam County Animal Relief Center.

Some very special guests will be there including WV's First Lady, Gayle Manchin.

Opened in the mid 80's, the shelter has battled overcrowding due to increased population in the county. I heard that they are increasing their runs by 20 and that would make a total of 70 runs for the dogs. I also heard about the addition of 50 cat cages." As said before, location is key. They need to bring the shelter into the forefront near the road and the property I heard they are working with, will come out to the main road. I also was told by a volunteer that they had recently gotten a $20,000.00 grant for something called site preparations.

The Charleston Cultural Center is donating the venue for free. For tickets and information call Jeff Barnes @304-757-5700 or email him @ jbarnes@jbarnes.com. You may also send a donation to: Putnam County Animal Relief Center @ First State Bank, 1101 Hospital Dr., Ste. 102, Hurricane, WV 25526.

Come out and enjoy the food and music and save an animal's life.