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Fall
2004
We are grateful for the several thousand individuals who are currently associated with the work of the CHS in various ways. We also appreciate the multitudes of people who have helped during the past 48 years that the CHS has been in existence. Their dedication, commitment, and compassion have truly made a difference to so many pets. Each area of service, whether as a donor, adopter, volunteer, or in many other ways, is vital.
One area of volunteer service that continues to grow and expand is the area of direct animal care. We are grateful for the many people who provide cleaning, exercise, socialization, behavior modification, rehabilitation, and other services on behalf of shelter animals. A number of volunteers come with particular personal expertise, such as in the areas of training and grooming.
There are a significant number of direct animal care volunteers who provide socialization and exercise for the animals. Daily walks, playtime in the animal interactive room or outside exercise yard, and personal time spent with the animals help provide quality time for them while they wait to be adopted.
There are those whose efforts ensure a clean and safe environment for the animals. Their endeavors help the disposition of shelter pets and help enhance their total well-being. Also vital to the animals' well-being, are the efforts put forth in the areas of behavior modification and rehabilitation. Those endeavors have helped a number of shelter pets to be more readily adoptable and have helped to ensure that they will receive a life-long home.
There are also many other ways that the volunteers help the animals. Their endeavors greatly support the efforts of the CHS Animal Care and Adoption Specialists, who we are grateful to. We wish to extend to each direct animal care volunteer our heartfelt appreciation and we salute them for the tremendous and vital service that they provide on behalf of the animals.
Summer
2004
There are so many individuals and groups, who sacrifice of their time, energy, talents, expertise, and finances to provide vital help to the CHS in our service to pets. One group that has consistently given so much are the veterinarians. There are many veterinarians throughout northern Michigan, who participate in the CHS Veterinary Assistance Program. Their practices are located as far south as Manistee and as far north and east as Gaylord. As part of the CHS Veterinary Assistance Program, they provide reduced spay/neuter fees and free well-health examinations for animals adopted from the CHS.
Over the years some have served on the CHS Board of Directors as CHS Supervising Veterinarians. Some have served on committees involved with shelter procedures. Many of them have offered advice of various kinds and have donated a wide variety of supplies and even educational equipment. They have also provided treatment for shelter animals. Some have helped with educational and animal-related events. Their service to the work of the CHS is deeply appreciated.ARE reunited with their families. We are also grateful for the work of veterinarians for the medical well being of all animals. Their commitment to veterinary medicine is inspiring. It is indeed comforting to know that our pets' medical needs are being serviced by very competent and caring veterinarians and veterinary support people.
Assuredly, veterinarians make the quality of life for our pets so much greater. They truly make a tremendous difference to our communities and the areas in which they practice. We commend their efforts, appreciate their counsel in so many ways, and are grateful for their dedication to veterinary medicine and to the animals they serve.
Spring
2004
The second quarter of each year is an important one for public
awareness and humane education. The CHS Humane Education Program
continues to flourish with a record number of invitations
received for presentations to school classes. In addition,
several groups have visited and toured the shelter. Several
groups and classes have conducted projects on behalf of the
CHS that have resulted in the raising of funds and the procurement
of pet food and supplies. Still other groups have done special
projects at the shelter. We are truly grateful for all of
those endeavors.
During
the month of April we promoted Prevent A Litter Month. Various
activities focused upon the importance of spaying and neutering,
in order to end the very serious pet overpopulation problem.
We participated in Pet Adoptathon 2004, an international event
promoting adoptions during the first weekend in May. The event
was highly successful again this year. Sunday, May 2 began
Be Kind To Animals Week. We accepted a Mayoral Proclamation,
proclaiming Traverse City's recognition of the event, at the
May 3 City Commission Meeting. Promotional materials were
made available to the public and the event was supported by
public services announcements.
In addition, Attorney Catherine Wolfe presented a session
entitled "Animal Cruelty: How to Recognize and Deal with It"
at the CHS Humane Education and Conference Center on Thursday,
May 6. Ms. Wolfe is the former Chairperson of the Animal Law
Section of the State Bar Association of Michigan. The session
was part of the CHS Education and Information Series. On Thursday,
May 20, the CHS participated in the "Healthy Town, USA" Senior
Expo 2004 event in Traverse City. The CHS promoted the benefits
of pets for senior citizens, the free adoptions for senior
citizens program, and opportunities for volunteer work. In
addition, several animal related activities were held by various
groups in the CHS Humane Education and Conference Center.
The CHS will participate in Adopt A Cat Month in June. We
will also participate in The Dad's Pet Food Adopt A Pet Weekend
on June 19. The event will be preceded by promotional activities
at the Grand Traverse Mall and in other ways. Other activities
are currently being planned and finalized for June and July
and they will be announced in the future.
The Benevolence Program of the CHS continues to provide significant
help for many animals and pet owners with special needs. In
addition, our Area Outreach Program has resulted in the dissemination
of information and counsel concerning humane work and related
items. As a service to individuals, groups, communities, and
other humane organizations, the CHS has individuals with specific
expertise that are willing to share information and suggestions
concerning a wide variety of topics. We also provide presentations,
concerning various avenues of interest, to interested groups,
clubs, and organizations.
It is indeed a busy time for the work of the CHS as we endeavor
to provide "a bright and positive future for all pets."
Winter
2003-2004
2003 proved to be an incredible year for the work of the
CHS on behalf of pets. Several new programs and services were
implemented that benefited the animals in significant ways.
Tremendous and continued growth was realized in areas such
as financial giving, volunteerism, networking, utilization
of expertise, and realization of goals. An expansion of programs
such as those dealing with humane education, human/animal
bonding, proper pet care, and public awareness of the importance
of pets and their well-being occurred. In essence, the accomplishments
realized during 2003 have established a solid foundation for
our endeavors in 2004.
This year promises to be the most significant year in the
history of the CHS. In keeping with the CHS ten-year plan,
new and expanded efforts in education, public awareness, activities,
and services will undoubtedly further benefit pets in an extraordinary
way. An exceedingly generous anonymous donation received in
December of 2003 has allowed for the covering of the outside
dog runs and will provide funds for many other projects at
our facility that will further enhance the comfort and well-being
of the animals. An expansion of the humane education program
will provide new opportunities and new venues for that very
vital endeavor. New activities designed to further promote
the human/animal bond will be introduced. New and expanded
services will benefit not only pets, but also individuals,
families, and communities, as well.
We, unfortunately, are limited by space and are therefore
unable to set forth the exciting specifics of the plans for
2004. They are many in number and significant in nature and
we will assuredly keep you updated concerning their implementation
and progress throughout the year. We cordially invite you
to read the article on page 4 of this publication. That article
highlights some of the many and varied programs and services
offered by the CHS. We are grateful to the entire CHS family
(management, staff, volunteers, adopters, donors, etc.). for
your efforts in the accomplishments that have been realized
and those that are to come on behalf of the pets on whose
behalf we work so diligently. After all, they deserve the
best that we can provide for them.
Fall
2003
The
past few months have been busy ones for the Cherryland Humane
Society. The CHS has been involved in over 2 dozens events
and activities of various types on behalf of the well being
of pets. In addition, the CHS has hosted the Building Bridges
for Success in Humane Work Conference for the Northern Michigan
Alliance of Animal Welfare and the second annual state wide
Humane Education Conference. Nationally recognized speakers
for the latter event were Janice Mininberg, Director of Education
for the Women's Humane Society of Bensalem Pennsylvania and
board member of the Association of Professional Humane Educators,
and Ann L. Gearhart, Director of Humane and Environmental
Education at the Snyder Foundation for Animals in Baltimore,
Maryland and Editor of the Association of Professional Humane
Educators newsletter. In addition, Petra Pepellashi, a Board
of Directors Member of the Michigan Humane Society and Chairperson
of the MHS Education Committee, and Carole Huebotter, the
Director of Humane Education for the Cherryland Humane Society,
also spoke. Carole planned and coordinated the conference
again this year.
During
the preceding few months, we have seen the implementation
of several important programs and the introduction of a number
of CHS publications of an educational and public awareness
nature. The CHS Humane Library has gradually been expanded
and utilized by a number of individuals for information, research,
and pleasure. The new CHS Education Program is in full swing
and has reached over 3,000 individuals since its inception.
The
CHS Pet Rehabilitation Program will soon be expanded. A very
generous donation in December of this year by an anonymous
benefactor will provide for baffling for the control of noise
in our animal housing areas, covered outdoor dog runs, new
bedding for dogs, some new housing units for cats, the development
of an emergency center, and other projects.
We
are grateful to those who have invited the CHS to participate
in events and to those who have helped with the various programs
and activities. We also wish to thank our volunteers and management
and staff for all of their help with the activities and programs.
There
are a tremendous number other things the CHS will be involved
in over the next few months as we work for the well being
of pets. We will continue to provide updates concerning those
activities.
Summer
2003
The
summer months have proven to be busy ones for the CHS. June
was Adopt A Cat Month. On June 11 we were involved in the
NMAAW regional meeting in Mackinaw City. During the weekend
of June 14 we participated in Dad's Pet Foods Adopt A Pet
event. Prior to Father's Day, we were part of the WCCW Radio
Toys for Big Boys event. The CHS participated in an event
at the Chum's Corners Prevo's Family Market on June 16, and
on June 17 we were involved with the Older American's Expo
in Suttons Bay. The CHS was also pleased to participate in
the Grand Traverse Cinema Sinbad the Legend of the Seven Seas
promotion. As part of our Education and Information Series,
on June 26 we hosted the "Pet Law and My Life with Pets"
presentation by Attorney Catherine Wolfe, former Chairperson
of the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
In July, the CHS participated in the National Cherry Festival.
On Tuesday, July 8 and again on Friday, July 11 we were part
of the Cherry Connection event at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural
Research Station in Leelanau County. On Wednesday, July 9
CHS volunteers manned the Souvenir Tent as part of the NCF
Community Share Program and participated in the Special Kids
Day event at the Open Space. On Thursday, July 10 we had a
unit in the NCF Junior Royale Parade. We also hosted the regional
NMAAW meeting on July 9.
In August, the CHS participated in another NMAAW meeting and
participated in the Northwestern Michigan Fair. The CHS is
also participating in the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and
Chippewa Indians Health Fair. We will host our annual anniversary
event (please watch for media advertising) in August.
In addition to all of the general activities, a number of
educational activities have also taken place. Other general
and educational activities are currently being finalized.
We wish to express our gratitude to all who have invited us
to participate in their events. Our deepest appreciation is
also expressed to the many volunteers who have helped with
the events. A special note of thanks is extended to the public
who attended the events and who helped to make them so successful.
Spring
2003
In
communities where humane education has effectively reached
the children, proven progress has resulted in areas such as
reducing the serious pet overpopulation program, curtailing
pet neglect, and reducing pet abuse. Children take humane
education values home with them and often play a role in improving
the well being of pets in their households. When they become
adults and have families, those values are imparted to their
family members. That is why humane education is such a vitally
important endeavor.
Taking
in unwanted and homeless pets and finding homes for them is
beyond question an important endeavor. But it is equally and
vitally important to work diligently to end the very serious
problems that so many pets face. The Cherryland Humane Society
is dedicated to education and public awareness efforts designed
to "provide a bright and positive future for all pets."
The
CHS Education and Information Series has already begun to
bear fruit. Conferences, classes, support groups, learning
activities, and interactive endeavors have and will play a
vital role in providing a better life for pets. Participation
in national and local public awareness events, such as Prevent
a Litter Month and Be Kind to Animals Week, contribute greatly
to our goal. The CHS Humane Library has been utilized in various
ways. Many other educational and public awareness opportunities
are happening or will be implemented.
We
are fortunate to have Carole Huebotter as our Director of
Humane Education. She is an outstanding, nationally recognized
professional humane educator who reached thousands of people
in the Chicago area before moving to Northern Michigan. During
the past year as our Humane Education Director, her programs
have already reached hundreds of people. Her focus centers
on proper pet care, teaching life's lessons that pets have
to offer, teaching compassion, concern, and kindness to other
living beings, and much, much more. Her research provides
great depth to her presentations. Her unobtrusive and highly
effective manner of presentation adds tremendous interest
to her programs. Carole's endeavors are already making great
in-roads in our efforts to resolve the many problems pets
face.
With
a focused and diligent effort, our humane education endeavors
will assuredly help to resolve the many problems pets face
and will help to vastly improve their well being and quality
of life.
Winter
2003
The
year 2002 proved to be one of the greatest years the Cherryland
Humane Society has ever experienced on behalf of multitudes
of homeless pets. One of the highlights was the occupancy
of the new CHS Shelter and Adoption, Education and Conference
Center. The new facility is foundational to vastly expanded
and new programs as called for in the second CHS ten-year
plan entitled Plan for Animal Welfare Success II, 2010. Those
programs will allow the CHS to reach much higher and more
effective levels of service to pets, people and communities.
The focus will still be to provide outstanding care for homeless
animals and to find more quality homes for them. Another important
emphasis, however, will be a tremendously expanded effort
to resolve the very serious problems that pets face, such
as overpopulation, pet abuse, and pet neglect. The second
10 year plan is designed to take our efforts to levels never
before attained on behalf of pets.
Programs
dealing with expanded spay/neuter efforts, animal comfort,
disease prevention, pet classification, pet rehabilitation,
pet hygiene, pet socialization, identification, and adoption
awareness and incentives are but a few of the programs that
will help homeless shelter pets. A general emergency plan,
Therapet Program, Harboring Program, special adoptions for
senior citizens, and an emergency animal welfare program are
some examples of services that are or that will be offered.
An educational program involving classes, seminars, conferences,
support groups, children's activities, interactive programs,
in-house educational publishing and the production of audio
and visual materials, an in-house humane library, and various
activities and events are already underway. Many more programs
are currently under way or will be implemented. Such efforts
assuredly will strengthen the human/animal bond, promote the
importance of pets to individuals, families, communities,
and to society in general, and teach life lessons that pets
have to offer.
Several
important meetings have already been held in the new Humane
Education and Conference Center. The Northern Michigan Alliance
for Animal Welfare (an alliance of humane organizations in
Northern Michigan) held a strategic planning meeting last
November, the first annual Humane Education Conference was
held last November and was attended by humane educators from
throughout Michigan, and two separate Pet Law presentations
were presented by Attorney Catherine Wolfe, the former Chairperson
of the Animal Law Section of the State Bar Association of
Michigan. Many more presentations and meetings of vital interest
will be held in the future.
Please
watch for announcements of additional programs and endeavors.
Winter
2002
An
exciting new day is dawning in the work of the Cherryland
Humane Society on behalf of thousands of unwanted and homeless
pets. The dreams and vision of so many people are being realized
as we progress with our new long-range plan and anxiously
await the completion of the new Cherryland Humane Society
Shelter and Adoption, Education and Conference Center. We
are deeply grateful for the focus, energy, expertise, and
dedication of so many people over the years who have helped
bring us to this point. It has and continues to be a tremendous
labor of love, compassion, and concern for the animals we
work so diligently for.
We
are grateful for the tremendous progress that has been made
on behalf of the multitudes of unwanted and homeless pets
we endeavor for. It has been the culmination of the efforts
of people from all walks of life, with so many areas of expertise,
with varying financial means, and with various abilities.
That success has been the result of studying and implementing
programs and procedures, of utilizing creativity, of periodically
reviewing what is already in place, and being diligent in
seeing things through. It has resulted from the sacrificial
work, uncompromising commitment, and cooperative spirit of
literally thousands of people over a 45-year period. The endeavors
of various people united in a concern for the well-being of
pets have helped the shelter population gradually to decrease
62 percent, the adoption rate to become almost 100 percent
for animals suited for placement in homes, and the avenues
for humane education to increase dramatically over a 12 year
period. We are not just an organization, but rather an association
of people committed to making life better for all pets. We
extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved and
to all of the businesses, agencies, and organizations that
have helped.
There
is so very much more to do, however. The areas we serve continue
to grow and the need for humane services grows proportionately.
Undoubtedly, the new Cherryland Humane Society Shelter and
Adoption, Education and Conference Center will help immensely
in facilitating the success of our new long-range plan. We
are deeply grateful for the overwhelming good will of so many
new people as they continue to contact us to offer their services,
expertise, finances, and labor on behalf of homeless pets.
The
endeavors of those already involved, those just coming on
board, and those that will be involved in the future will,
beyond question, bring resolution to the many problems pets
face today and will make life much better for them. There
is no question that pets give us their very best. We feel
a deep sense of obligation to do the same for them in return.
Fall
2002
On
July 23 we opened the new Cherryland Humane Society Shelter
and Adoption, Education and Conference Center to the public.
On August 25 we held the grand opening of the new facility.
Those two events represented the culmination of the dreams
and aspirations of so many individuals over almost 50 years.
The
new facility is foundational to our new ten-year plan, which
calls for vastly expanded services on behalf of pets. We currently
have over 26 programs which have either been implemented,
are soon to be implemented, or are being planned. The result
of those programs will provide tremendous impact upon the
problems that pets face today. We will announce those programs
during the next few months.
The
new facility enables us to do many significant things that
were not possible at the old shelter. Many important programs
are already underway that help shelter animals and improve
their chances for finding humane homes. Expanded efforts in
socialization, hygiene, and rehabilitation are but a few of
the areas that have already benefited shelter pets.
Our
Humane Education and Conference Center has already been the
center of much activity. We have hosted our Annual Meeting
in the facility, as well as our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast,
two volunteer orientation meetings, the Northern Michigan
Alliance for Animal Welfare strategic planning session, a
statewide Humane Education Conference, and a Pet Law presentation
by Attorney Catherine Wolfe, former Chairperson of the Animal
Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. In addition, a number
of important committee meetings have been held in the new
conference room. Classes, conferences, support groups, various
meetings, and pet-related events and activities, as well as
various other types of activities, will be held in the new
facility.
A
new area has dawned in our efforts to "provide a bright and
positive future for all pets."
Spring
1999
The
work of the Cherryland Humane Society is truly a team effort.
When we stop to think about all of the dedicated individuals
and groups who are involved in a concerted effort to provide
a better future for homeless pets, it is tremendously gratifying.
Obviously,
no nonprofit corporation could exist without members. Our
members serve faithfully and in a spirit of unity. It is from
our membership that our board of directors is elected. We
are blessed to have such an outstanding and committed board.
They each bring expertise to our cause that is vital to the
many decisions and issues with which they deal.
We
have a tremendously dedicated staff that brings an abiding
concern for the homeless pets with whom they deal. Beyond
question, our volunteer force is second to none. The sacrifice
of their time, energy, expertise and talent is commendable.
Our
team is further enhanced by those who faithfully and sometimes
sacrificially donate the funds which allow the CHS to work
on behalf of homeless pets. Others donate supplies vital to
the shelter's day-to-day operation. There are also those who
send in coupons providing for funds or supplies. A number
of individuals, groups, and businesses provide donated expertise,
services, or promotional or fund raising opportunities. The
general public offers words of encouragement, suggestions,
and adopts homeless shelter pets. Area schools continue to
invite us to do educational presentations and they conduct
projects benefiting the CHS. Service clubs and other organizations
invite us to do presentations concerning the work of the CHS.
The media donates air time and print space to promote shelter
pets and to present responsible pet care tips. Several governmental
agencies work in cooperation with the CHS to further pet care
education and public awareness.
In
short, the successes attained on behalf of unwanted and homeless
pets are the results of the efforts of so many working together
to ensure a much brighter future for pets. We are deeply grateful
to our members, board of directors, staff, and to each individual,
group, organization, business, media outlet and governmental
agency for their concern for and continuing efforts on behalf
of homeless pets.
Beyond
question, there is so very much more to be done. With the
continuing efforts of the dedicated and committed team we
have, we assuredly will realize a time when there will be
a loving, humane, and permanent home for every pet, when the
need for euthanasia will be no more, and when each individual
will realize the true benefits of pets to mankind.
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