The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer

Just some thoughts and musings from your favorite HAWS...

HOLIDAY SAFETY
Thanksgiving can be a happy feast for all beasts - man and pet.  But it can also pose some safety risks.

• Don't let your pet chew on turkey bones - they are small and brittle and can be a choking hazard.  Bones that break off can also cause blockages in your pet's digestive system.  However, it's up to you how much turkey MEAT you sneak to Fido or Fluffy...
• Make sure your pet doesn't ingest toxic food or drinks such as alcohol, onions, raisins, walnuts, yeast dough...check out the complete list of toxic foods at the HSUS website.
• If you take your pet with you over the river and thru the woods, be sure to keep them safely secured in your vehicle while you're traveling, using a car gate, crate or pet seat restraint.
• Are you stressed at holidays?  Your pet probably is, too!  Get away from it all and go for a nice looong walk!

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS
Has HAWS got THE gift for all those pet lovers in your life:  the Best Friends Cookbook.  This cookbook, available at HAWS for only $15.00, is over 200 pages of recipes for people and pets - including Skunk Spray Anitidote!!  Produced by the Friends of HAWS group, all proceeds from the sale of these books goes directly to support HAWS.  So, get an encyclopedia of cooking greats and help HAWS at the same time.  Now, THERE'S a gift that truly keeps on giving - even Jackie thinks so.  Stop by our shelter at 701 Northview Road, Waukesha or call us (262-542-8851) to get yours!

HOLIDAY DONATIONS
We know you're inundated by donation requests from all over.  We also know that times are tight!  If you have the means, we still really need your financial support.  As a private non-profit organization, HAWS receives no tax funding of any kind.  We also don't receive funds from the national organizations like HSUS or AHA.  Nope!  We're on our own out here, relying on our surrounding community to support us.

This year our annual holiday fund drive marks the return of a HAWS tradition:  our shelter lobby Holiday Tribute Tree.  Along with your tax-deductible donation, we're also inviting our community to send in a picture of their best animal friend - and a few sentences of why this companion is so important to you.  We're sharin' the joy:  "Celebrate the Season, Celebrate our Best Friends."  Call the shelter for more details - 262-542-8851.

By the way - while our shelter is closed to visitors on Thanksgiving Day, we are open normal hours every other day this weekend.  Stop by and see if your best friend is waiting for you here!

Wow, did it get cold in a hurry!

Usually we don't need to start thinking about "winterizing" our canine and feline friends so quickly, but it is better to act now than pay the price later.  Is the antifreeze in your garage out of reach?  Are you using a paw-friendly salt for your driveway and sidewalks?

CAT SAFETY
The best thing to do to keep your cat safe during cold weather months is...keep it inside during the cold weather months!  (Actually, at HAWS we feel pretty strongly that pet cats should always stay inside, no matter the season.)  We hear stories often of a cat climbing in under someone's car hood to get warm, and then being injured once the car is started.  Or, we've heard of a wandering kitty suffering frostbite on their sensitive toes, noses and ears.  Temps can quickly turn dangerous - don't risk the safety of your favorite feline.  We all know they prefer to be cuddling in a warm blanket by the fireplace, anyway...

DOG SAFETY
Some dog breeds thrive in cold weather - huskies, malamutes and other double-coated breeds were originally bred to withstand cold extremes.  Other breeds may need a coat while cavorting in the colder temps.  It is also a good idea to put boots or socks on your pooch while outside - to keep their paw pads from cracking from winter dryness, and to ensure road and sidewalk salt doesn't become lodged in their toes.  Inspect their feet each time they come back inside, and keep some Vaseline handy to moisterize and protect those paw pads.

Pets spending a lot of time outdoors in the cold weather will need more food:  keeping warm depletes energy reserves very quickly.  Also, if you have a water bowl outside, make sure it doesn't freeze over!  Always be alert for signs your pet isn't doing well such as shivering and lethargy.

Enjoy the changing seasons safely with your best friend!

By the way - are you starting to think about holiday gifts?  Need ideas for your animal-loving family and friends and their pets?  HAWS has several gift ideas, from Paver Bricks to t-shirts to toys and books.  Stop in today!

This past Friday, our shelter's "spooktacular" evening of fun - the HAWS Halloween Howl 2008 - turned into a celebration of another sort, featuring this special announcement:  HAWS has secured the necessary funding to allow for construction to begin on the Shelter's expansion project in the near future.

Our facility expansion plans were first announced in September, 2007 when we publicly launched our capital campaign with a goal of $1.86 million.

"The original gift we received from the Merkel estate, along with that from the Winzenreid Family and the most recent gift from the Schiemel estate, plus the generous support from our community, has made this possible," stated Lynn Olenik, HAWS Executive Director.  "We're ready to move ahead with this project."

"We decided to move ahead because the animals have a need," continued Olenik.  "Through the building project, we will gain things such as better isolation quarters.  We'll eliminate much of the cross contamination and improve ventilation throughout the building - all things that will greatly improve the comfort and health of the animals in our care."

With the cost of building products rising the HAWS Board of Directors felt this was the best investment in our future, and therefore wise to move ahead with this project.  Fundraising will continue for things such as landscaping, caging/fixtures, medical equipment, and furniture for the rooms.

And, there is always a need for donations for the animals that look to our shelter for help.  Every day it costs $3,000 to open the doors to HAWS and provide care for the 6,000 animals we assist each year.

Overall, HAWS' goal has always been to be self-sustaining.  We are a great example of the impact that gifts from estates, wills and bequests have on the health of non-profit organizations and then in turn the community!  These gifts sustain organizations for the long hall, allowing success, even during the toughest of times.

By the way - join us at the shelter at 701 Northview Road, Waukesha, this weekend for our Friends of HAWS group's annual Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale - from 9am - 4pm on Saturday, Nov. 8th.  Do some early holiday shopping, or just stop by for some homemade treats!