The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer

Get into your favorite Halloween costume and join us for a "spooktacular" evening of fun to benefit the animals and programs at HAWS.  HAWS Halloween Howl II (our annual fall fundraiser) is set for Halloween night, Friday, October 31, 2008 at Olympia Resort, 1350 Royale Mile Road in Oconomowoc.  The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs until midnight.

This year's HAWS Howl features live entertainment by the Booze Bros. Revue - back by popular demand, great food buffets including a sushi bar (also back by popular demand!), live and silent auctions, raffles, casino games, costume contests, an adoptable pet meet'n'greet area, and much more.  All proceeds support HAWS' animal care services and the many educational programs at HAWS, which promote responsible pet ownership and prevent animal abuse and neglect in our community.

HAWS Halloween Howl II admission tickets are $55 per person, and can be purchased by calling 262-542-8851, or logging onto the Howl event page at HAWS website.  RSVP by October 25!  Don't miss out on the party of the season!

Raffle tickets are available to everyone - you need not be present at our Howl to win one of the 3 great "green" prizes:  a Trek 7100 Bike (mens or ladies) from Emery's Bicycles, your choice of 2 trees from Piala's Nursery of Waukesha, or $500 in cash!  Those can be purchased via phone, online or also at the shelter.

Join us for a great time - party on Halloween and support a great cause, too!  The animals of the Waukesha County area thank you!

By the way - we're teasing you AGAIN!  Can you "dig" it?  (That's a hint to some great news we'll tell you about next time...)

Kids are really getting involved at HAWS - from volunteering at the shelter to doing school projects that promote animal welfare to donating the proceeds from their lemonade stands...young adults, teens and tweens are coming up with some great ideas to support HAWS!  Our caring community has a bright future.

One such caring kid is Jake Zellmer.  Jake and his extended family, the Zellmer-Granzows, have continued their support of HAWS through several generations.  Jake's grandfather is a retired Waukesha policeman who was part of our early animal control efforts.  Each year the family donates in memory of Jake's uncle, Jeff.  Jake's mom, Amy, led the "HAWS Drive 2008" - even getting the hotels she works with to donate their used towels.

(Ironically, the Bellagio in Las Vegas didn't have any used towels, so they donated new ones, which leads us to wonder if the HAWS animal residents are thinking red, black, odd, even, double down, call, fold, raise...)

This year the family took their support of HAWS to a new level:  Jake, 13, who drives the #99 car in the Central States Region Jr. Division Super Cup stock car circuit, has made HAWS an honorary sponsor of his racing team.  HAWS' logo is on his car and trailer, and Jake is making several personal appearances on HAWS behalf.

This past Sunday, Jake joined our Mobile Adoptions unit at an event at Drexel Interiors on Bluemound.  Bleary-eyed from a late night of racing on Saturday, Jake took on any comers who wanted to challenge him to Playstation's NASCAR '09.  While the Drexel set up included a large screen flat panel TV and comfy couch, he resisted the urge to nap.  We would've certainly understood, though, because the reason for his fatigue was...

...Jake is the 2008 Season CSR Jr. Division Super Cup Champion, AND he also won the Indiana and Illinois Tri-State Championships a few weekends earlier!  The points race for the Super Cup is similar to NASCAR's, and the race on Saturday was the decider in a hotly contested circuit.  WAY TO GO JAKE!  (And look out, NASCAR...!)

We're celebrating our partnership with Jake and his amazing season this Saturday, September 27th with R.A.C.E. Day at HAWS.  Meet Jake and take him on in Playstation if you've got the nerve - watch the hamster races - meet a retired racing greyhound - help us build our "brickyard" at HAWS and buy a tribute paver brick - win a prize by voting in our election race - adopt an animal and also win a prize in our pennant race - join in the "racy" fun.

R.A.C.E. with us - Rescue - Adopt - Care - Educate!

By the way - watch this space next week for an exciting announcement about our facility expansion campaign...

I've been sharing my office the past few days.  Anyone who has had to do that knows how trying it can be; close quarters usually cut into productivity.  But I'll actually miss my "roommate" when he leaves.

You see, "he" is Casey, a 10-year-old spaniel who lost his dad/owner unexpectedly.  While his extended family desperately wanted to keep him, they simply weren't able, so he was in need of a new place.  Immediately when he set foot in our administrative office he found the old cushy brown chair across from my desk, and that was that.  The good news is he has already found a new place to live, and will be going home today to spend the rest of his days with a few other seniors (pets and people).

Spending this week with Casey has reminded me how rewarding adopting an older pet can be.  Sure, taking home a kitten or puppy adds to the magic of your household, and the antics are certainly entertaining.  But when you adopt an adult or senior pet, you're truly giving a second chance to a most deserving being.  And they, like Casey, are great listeners.  I know my stress level has been low this week just having him to talk to!

Usually older pets end up at HAWS because of a tragic or unforseen circumstance.  These pets have so much to give - and so many more years to live!  They are ready to settle in almost immediately to a life as your companion.  They only ask for care, comfort, love...and a few snacks....

Samantha the Husky (6), Billy the Brittany (6), Barkley the Beagle (8), Cabby the Terrier (8), Ozzie the Shorthair (4), Mini the Shorthair (5) - these are all "older" pets that are available at HAWS right now.  All wonderful companions, yet sometimes they get looked past, because we have kittens and puppies also currenly at the shelter.

Well, I've gotta go - Casey has been waiting patiently for me to finish so we can debate Yost vs. Sveum.

By the way - our Senior Caregivers Pet Health Fair yesterday assisted almost 2 dozen seniors and their pets!  Remember, if you have a senior in your family that could use assistance with their companion animal, give us a call at 262-542-8851.

The Humane Animal Welfare Society and the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Waukesha County have partnered to assist seniors, their pets and caregivers.  By pooling resources and working together, we can reach a larger segment of the community.  We're calling this cooperative effort P.A.L.S., which stands for Pets Are Life Savers.

Anyone who has a pet knows about the joy and love they bring - sometimes these little beings are what give us a reason to get up in the morning!

The spirit of the P.A.L.S. partnership is to give seniors the tools that will allow them to keep their companion pets with them, longer.  HAWS is providing reduced fee vet services, pet care counseling and just basic information as needed.  ADRC is promoting the partnership and assisting with regular Pet Health Fairs.

Here is the information for the next Senior Caregivers Pet Health Fair.  If you or someone you know might benefit, please get in touch with us here at HAWS, or contact the ADRC.  We'll see you soon!

SENIOR CAREGIVERS PET HEALTH FAIR
Presented by HAWS for the Pets of Waukesha County's Seniors
Monday, September 15, 2008
1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
HAWS Shelter - 701 Northview Road, Waukesha

Reduced fee (and some are free!) services available include pet wellness exams, vaccinations, health screenings/tests, identifying microchips, and spay/neuter surgeries.  Counselors will be available for pet care and general pet questions and concerns.  Transportation (for pets) will be available.

Call 262-542-8851 to RSVP, set your appointment, or to have any questions answered!

By the way - we're currently offering reduced fee adoption of cats older than 4 months - now that kitten season is over, it is time to think "older" cats - and we have PLENTY to choose from.  Stop in today, adopt, and receive some great prizes, too!