November simply blew us away and gave a whole new meaning to the word “Thanksgiving” for us. We have never, in our history, had such an incredible month of donations, volunteer help and support, locally and across the country and globe.
We did have a few challenging nights during the month when our kennel keeper had a family emergency and was not able to make it out to rescue … with the temperatures plummeting. But somehow, someway, the core volunteers rallied together and made it out in the wee hours of the mornings and chilly hours of the evenings to help Mama Donna move dogs inside and outside.
Fall Vol Day
Just a few months ago, Hannah was scared of all of us. Now she’s eating out of our hands … literally.
The month kicked off with our incredible Fall Vol Day on Nov. 2. The weather was perfect, the turnout was great, and we managed to wrap a ton of kennels in one day. This is hard work and is something we never could have done in the past without this much help.
Another miracle happened on that day: After months of running from us, Hannah finally began to trust us. It was a moment we’ll never forget. She is now learning to trust more and more of us and gaining some confidence, enabling us to treat her heartworm and eventually find her foster or forever home.
Goodies Galore!
We put out some pretty hefty (and expedient) requests for donations via our Amazon Wish List and, by dog, if you guys didn’t come through beyond our wildest dreams! It seemed like every day (or at least every other day) Amazon was dropping us packages from all over the country – everything from small but very needed items like sweaters, coconut oil, and toys, to huge-ticket items like crates and dog houses. Folks were dropping off blankets, towels, and toys by the carloads and sending us beautiful handcrafted creations to sell in our auctions and raffles. It was mind-boggling.
As if that wasn’t enough, we asked more of you by setting up an online food drive on Nov. 17. We hoped to raise $500 by Dec. 20. We reached (and surpassed) our goal at $660 in 24 hours! Are you kidding us?! It used to take us a month just to raise $100.
The outpouring of love and support wasn’t just confined to individuals. Businesses reached out to us as well, including Second Life, who sent us an unexpected grant! We also partnered with several great groups to help with our fundraising efforts, including:
Phenomenal Fosters
The fall brought us something we never have enough of: Wonderful fosters! Fostering is such a great way to help any rescue. It helps those dogs who are used to living in homes continue to thrive while they wait for their new families and, for those ultra-patient parents, it teaches dogs who have never lived in homes or in kennels all of their lives how to be a “home dog.” Want to become a foster? Learn everything you need to know and then download the application.
Chad
Chad had been living with one of our supporters in a foster home since he and Clarisse were pulled from the shelter in 2012, but he needed more one-on-one attention. The Warrens saw his photo and fell in love. Within days, they came out to see him and took him into their home, where he is currently thriving … and living with cats! He is now looking for his next home, which will be forever.
Sam
Sam had been through so much since being “rescued from his former rescue.” You’d never know it, though. He was as happy (and as hungry) as could be as he went through his heartworm treatments. Sharon Brewster showed up in early November to foster one of our rescues – and Sam won the lotto! Let’s get this boy into a home forever in 2014!
Mr. Wiggles
Although Mr. Wiggles went to his foster home with our awesome supporters/volunteers/photo shoot masters, Kevin and Elisa Schwutke, in October, he really settled in with them and his foster sister, Isis, in November with a trip to the beach. The sweet boy is learning all kinds of things in his foster home and is more than ready to find another one that’s forever!
