$100K Challenge Blog - They're Working to Save More Lives

One of the benefits of my job is that the company I work for provides volunteer time for associates during the workday. Through my volunteer efforts for cat adoptions for the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society I became aware of the need to catch up on the bottle and cans sorting for redemption of the NYS bottle deposit. I decided I would try to get a group of co-workers together to spend the afternoon at the shelter to do the sorting. You can never be sure if anyone will respond due to busy workloads and vacation and it being a somewhat messy chore but within hours of sending out the request for volunteers people were responding and wanting to help. There are space restrictions in the sorting area so I knew I could only have about 8 people involved. With so many replies, I had to start a wait list!
We ended up having a beautiful warm afternoon. I don�0;2019;t know how many bottles and cans we sorted but it was A LOT! The group was determined to get through everything that was there and more donations were coming in even as we worked through what had already accumulated before we arrived. Quite a few volunteers stayed past the scheduled end time to finish up everything. We were all a little sweaty and drity and tired but we all had a great sense of accomplishment.

What an honor to have the opportunity
to work with people that care
What an honor to have a chance to save lives
with all of our volunteers that share...

With all the love and compassion
With all the time that is given
With all tears that are shed
With all the heros that have arisen

We are honored with so many foster homes
that gave another day
We are honored that we have had the chance
working for a better way


And when the end is just the beginning
Its not about who is winning
It's about the love that is shared
And all that have given and cared

Kat Dockstader
NOAH Volunteer Coordinator

I started Calico Ranch in 2002 in Eureka Springs AR. I house 14 cats at the Ranch in Condos built for them.

I also have 4 cats at my home in Rogers AR.

I have rescued 15 dumped or feral cats and one dog since 2007. I have gotten all the animals Spayed, Neutered, and Vaccinated all out of pocket.

I currently have two Black Cats needing adoption in Eureka Springs. Their Mom died from an accident at home 5 weeks ago. Her family didn't want the cats. One male and one female. They are Mom and Son and named Bonnie and Clyde by the Eureka Springs Police Department that brought them to me. Please help me get them adopted.

We would like to thank all of our supporters during this challenge and always. This means our donors, partners, volunteers, staff, adopters, and you! Even if you only volunteered for an hour, gave a $1, or just spread the word about AHS- it made a difference! The animals especially thank you!

We would like to recognize the heroes that have helped save the lives of animals in our community. How do you say thank you to a volunteer that opened his home to a litter of kittens that needed time to be able to grow up and find forever homes? How do you express your gratitude to the staff member that cleaned cages on her day off to make sure that each dog slept comfortably? Is there a way to show appreciation to the 8 year old that donated his allowance instead of spending it on himself?

I am constantly blown away by the people that go above and beyond for animals simply because they couldn't imagine not helping. They don't help because there isn't anything else to do; we live in New Orleans there are always a hundred fun things to do! They help because they love animals.

Janet Parker-She works tirelessly for each and every animal. I admire her determination and strength. She is a Saint to our fearful animals.
Barbara C-Never says no to a new idea and goes above and beyond for each and every animal. Her patience and dedication refresh everyone around her.
Melissa Barnes-Sees each cat for the unique soul that it is. Her passion for our overlooked cats is inspiring and many own their lives to her.
Kim Lancashire-Fosters the old, the young, and the unmanageable and gives them a chance at a new life. Her resilience and unending supply of hope motivate others.
Haley, Blakely, and Marlee-Are our society's hope for the future. These young women will change the world for the better and I am blessed to have worked with them.

I will never be able to put into words or quantify all that they have done for animals but I would like for them to know that they are all my heroes. And most importantly they are the heroes to all the animals that now have a place to call home.

Organizations who have volunteers sometimes marginalize these volunteers to peripheral, 'make work' activities. At Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society (MHRHS), we volunteers (who want to) are allowed to take on new roles as our talents and interests take us. I've walked dogs, done humane education presentations, acted as assistant to our volunteer photographer as he photographs the dogs, done bulk mailings, and helped out with technology projects. Thanks to the staff, I feel valued and that I'm doing useful work at the shelter. I appreciate that so much.
I'm one of the 'dog people', so honestly, I hadn't previously had much of a chance to meet the 'non-dog people' volunteers. The 'Challenge' brought us together - cat people, dog people, bottle-return people, etc. Our volunteers are now a community rather than just random people we glimpse as we do our own work.
I'm at the shelter regularly and have seen how hard the staff has worked to increase our adoptions while still maintaining the main focus on our animals' health and well-being. I have never before volunteered where the staff is so professional, cordial, AND appreciative of the volunteers' work.

The last couple of months have challenged all of us at MHRHS. It was a great feeling to see our shelter people, staff and volunteers, grow and rise to the challenge.

It's starting to get cold in Northeast Ohio and the night skies are filled with stars. If we could arrange the constellations to say thanks it would read like this:
Thank you to the entire Rescue Village staff for your passinate love for our mission, for working hard and above and beyond to save more lives during the 100K Challenge, for putting up pictures of every animal adopted during the Challenge, for wearing your buttons, for holding special adoption events, for celebrating every time one of our long-timers went home, for celebrating every time any animal went home!
Thank you to our Board of Trustees for being excited and supportive and with us all the way!
Thanks to our volunteers who help in every part of our work!
Thank you to our community for cheering us on, for spreading the good news about adopting from shelters, for adopting from Rescue Village!
Thank you to the ASPCA for launching the Challenge and being our biggest cheerleader and backing it up with suppoert that was so extensive, so well done, so accessible that every contestant was going to come out a winner!

The Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society has made all the difference in my life. I'm so busy being a student; going to school full-time and working full- time, I try and make ever moment I can to volunteer. It's certainly an option to do so you may say, but I NEED to volunteer, I wouldn't choose nothing else. I love volunteering, because I know I make that extra difference of a beautifly hearted animal being adopted. The bond I instantly receive when I walk through the doors is heart warming. I enjoy ever moment going to the shelter; I walk out the doors so much happier than what I came in as. I call it "my oasis", and I call the animals there- "my babies that don't live with me." They give back enormously to me and the shelter gives back to the community. I wouldn't try so hard to be somewhere if the people don't work hard and handle what needs to be done, however the shelter does. The amount of work the shelter puts out is enough to make any kind, considerate, person donate $20,0000 to them. They definately are an example of the quote- "you get back what you put in." I love the shelter been there for almost a year and I'm not going anywhere!

Wow, I am unsure of where to start with who to thank. Kind of like the Academy Awards, if you forget just one person you will feel like a schmuck.

Well here goes:
The ASPCA for creating and putting the challenge together, no small feat!
All the amazing staff and volunteers of HSBV, NO WAY could we have done it without each and everyone of you.
Rick Chadwick and the Nuf Said Advertising team for all the amazing and creative work they did for us: the webpage, the posters, the brochures, I could go on and on.

Paul DesRosiers and the Vermilion Design for the amazing commercials they created for us. If you haven't seen them all I can say is HAIR BALL! Go on You Tube and watch them, they are amazing.

Finally all of those people that adopted animals, donated, voted and talked about what we were doing on social media; we could not have saved all those lives if you hadn't supported us!

Thank you, thank you,thank you, hopefully I am not a schmuck.

While I've always been an animal lover, it wasn't until about four years ago after I became a vegan that I started volunteering with MHRHS. My first "job" was playing Santa Claus, which had the awesome benefit of getting to cuddle some really cute dogs, and introducing me to some breeds I would never have considered owning myself, such as Chihuahuas (of which I now have two rescues)! Four years and many volunteer hours later, I do cat care and cat adoptions each Sunday, and have since fostered close to 50 cats (not all at one time) and nursed them back to health. Currently I have three sweet babies from a recent raid, who are doing great and almost ready to "leave the nest." Of course, a few of my fosters have become permanent residents, one of the "hazards" of fostering. Volunteering has been a truly rewarding experience and something that is now part of my life. I highly recommend opening your home to fosters--you will be doing a great service to the lives of fellow beings!

The news just came out...and our friends at Boulder Humane have won the Challenge! My congratulations go out to them and every group that worked so hard to save more lives.
The leaderboard shows N.O.A.H. in 2nd place! I'm so very proud that we ranked so high in this NATIONAL competition! I've heard it said that you judge your victory based on your competition. Our fellow competitors were mighty...making our 2nd place rank all the more amazing! Thank you to the ASPCA for stretching us beyond what we thought was possible...and thank you to the Staff and Volunteers who gave N.O.A.H, and the animals, this great victory! We’re on the map now…and the sky is the limit on the numbers of animals we will help going forward!

Austin Gates,
N.O.A.H. Executive Director

In this season of giving thanks, we at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley have so many reasons -- at least 2,284 -- to be thankful. That number represents the number of animals` lives you helped us save during the past three months.

On Aug. 1, the Humane Society of Boulder Valley embarked on a national campaign to save more animals through the Save More Lives $100K Challenge sponsored by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The premise was simple but daunting -- save more lives through adoption and reuniting lost and stray animals during August, September and October 2010 than we had in the same period of time in 2009 -- and more than any of the other shelters. Fifty shelters across the country were selected to compete for the $100,000 grant to be awarded to the shelter with the greatest number of lives saved during the three months.

Our team set a big goal -- to save 1,000 more lives by adopting and reuniting an additional 1,000 animals. We knew this would take a great deal of creativity, effort and dedication -- and we would need tremendous support from our community. The Challenge became a great opportunity for us to implement new ideas and innovative processes aimed at serving animals and people better than ever.

We rose to the challenge, and you were right there with us. Not just for adoptions, but in the midst of the Fourmile Canyon wildfire -- Colorado`s worst natural disaster -- you reached out in an unprecedented way to help us protect and save animals` lives with your donations.

In just three months we found new homes for 2,284 animals, including 1,169 dogs and 1,115 cats. We reunited 356 lost and stray pets with their families. This represents 1,007 more animals` lives saved this year. We met and exceeded our ambitious goal. This was only possible because of the incredible support we received from you, our community. Thank you so much for answering this challenge. Thank you for helping us save more lives than ever before.

After the first two months of the Challenge, we were in first place to win this competition. We are well poised to win this Challenge grant because of you. No matter what happens when the winner of the ASPCA $100,000 Challenge grant is announced Dec. 8, we have succeeded our real goal, because 2,284 animals were saved. These animals, who are now members of your families, are the real winners.

Lisa Pedersen is Chief Executive Officer of the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

Read more: Humane Society gives thanks - Boulder Daily Camera http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_16703961#ixzz16KlVKXIH
DailyCamera.com

As the youngest shelter competing in the ASPCA Challenge, the staff at McKamey is grateful to be competing with some of the most prestigious and established shelters in the country. To be acknowledged among the 50 shelters in the competition was an accomplishment in itself. We are thankful to learn about their programs, events and how they have handled the challenges that life in a shelter inevitably brings.

We are thankful to the ASPCA for the opportunity to be challenged. Giving our staff an extra nudge to be creative and innovative not only saved more canine and feline lives but it enhanced our skills and helped us be more appreciative of the work we do and the difference we make.

We are forever indebted to our core volunteers and to our board members that support us with their time, talents and hard work. Without them, we could not help as many animals, spread as much awareness and have as many programs as we do. Our off-site adoptions are run soley by volunteers. Every weekend they spend their days off from their full time jobs helping our animals find a forever home. Those dedicated to the off-site program that deserve honorable mention are Leigh Pendergrass, Lois Moss, Ginger Goss and Sally Dye. Volunteers do it all, even the nitty gritty like cleaning cages and kennels at seven in the morning. These fantastic volunteers are Paulina Wampler, Ann Foltz, Susan Hood, Paula Skrivan, Kim Dodds, Jimmy Mayer, Philip Trujilo, Christa Sielski, and Karen Kier. We also have dedicated dog walkers like JoAnne Scott, John Williams, Byron Cole, Chris Hensley, Kimberly Dent, Reid Scott, Linda Park and Joy Jonakin that make sure our canines exercise regularly. Our board members put on fabulous fundraisers that make it possible for us to provide the programs that we offer to public and to the animals in our care. Marie Chinery, Lee Towery, Barby Wilson, Ann Ball and Carol Goodman put on successful events and developed relationships to keep the Center growing. For every volunteer and board member, we are thankful.

Our supporters and donors make it possible for our team of staff and volunteers to accomplish our mission. We are grateful for the resources they provide and the positive awareness they spread. A special thanks to Mayor Ron Littlefield for taking a stand for the animals, to City Council for passing the anti-tethering ordinance, and Victoria Stilwell for believing in our mission. We are blessed to have their support.

Lastly, we are obliged to thank the staff at McKamey for the long hours, hard work and new ideas that they brought to the table during the ASPCA Challenge. This was truly a team effort and every staff member played a vital role in our quest to save more lives. Their commitment is inspiring and encouraging. As we approach Thanksgiving we are reminded of all that we have accomplished and how much more we have to give. We hope that one day the McKamey Animal Center will be a role model for new shelters as many of the shelters competing in the ASPCA Challenge have been for us.

We would like to thank all of our supporters during this challenge and always. This means our donors, partners, volunteers, staff, adopters, and you! Even if you only volunteered for an hour, gave a $1, or just spread the word about AHS- it made a difference! The animals especially thank you!

We would like to thank all of our supporters during this challenge and always. This means our donors, partners, volunteers, staff, adopters, and you! Even if you only volunteered for an hour, gave a $1, or just spread the word about AHS- it made a difference! The animals especially thank you!

We would like to recognize the heroes that have helped save the lives of animals in our community. How do you say thank you to a volunteer that opened his home to a litter of kittens that needed time to be able to grow up and find forever homes? How do you express your gratitude to the staff member that cleaned cages on her day off to make sure that each dog slept comfortably? Is there a way to show appreciation to the 8 year old that donated his allowance instead of spending it on himself?

I am constantly blown away by the people that go above and beyond for animals simply because they couldn't imagine not helping. They don't help because there isn't anything else to do; we live in New Orleans there are always a hundred fun things to do! They help because they love animals.

Janet Parker-She works tirelessly for each and every animal. I admire her determination and strength. She is a Saint to our fearful animals.
Barbara C-Never says no to a new idea and goes above and beyond for each and every animal. Her patience and dedication refresh everyone around her.
Melissa Barnes-Sees each cat for the unique soul that it is. Her passion for our overlooked cats is inspiring and many own their lives to her.
Kim Lancashire-Fosters the old, the young, and the unmanageable and gives them a chance at a new life. Her resilience and unending supply of hope motivate others.
Haley, Blakely, and Marlee-Are our society's hope for the future. These young women will change the world for the better and I am blessed to have worked with them.

I will never be able to put into words or quantify all that they have done for animals but I would like for them to know that they are all my heroes. And most importantly they are the heroes to all the animals that now have a place to call home.

It's starting to get cold in Northeast Ohio and the night skies are filled with stars. If we could arrange the constellations to say thanks it would read like this:
Thank you to the entire Rescue Village staff for your passinate love for our mission, for working hard and above and beyond to save more lives during the 100K Challenge, for putting up pictures of every animal adopted during the Challenge, for wearing your buttons, for holding special adoption events, for celebrating every time one of our long-timers went home, for celebrating every time any animal went home!
Thank you to our Board of Trustees for being excited and supportive and with us all the way!
Thanks to our volunteers who help in every part of our work!
Thank you to our community for cheering us on, for spreading the good news about adopting from shelters, for adopting from Rescue Village!
Thank you to the ASPCA for launching the Challenge and being our biggest cheerleader and backing it up with suppoert that was so extensive, so well done, so accessible that every contestant was going to come out a winner!

Mandy's Story: A Sweet One

When Scott and I offered to host an adoption event for Southern Pines Animal Shelter outside our restaurant, we had no intentions of adopting a dog ourselves! But, sweet Mandy caught our eye pretty quickly, and it was love at first sight. While Scott filmed a segment for the local news, he had a small white dog (Pluto, I believe) next to him while he talked to the reporter, and afterward, I jokingly asked how he liked that dog. He was in a hurry to get back to work and just said, "I like the brown dog," and kept going. Of course I rushed outside to see which one he was talking about, and Mandy was so relaxed, lying on the patio with a volunteer (who coincidentally is our neighbor). I immediately started my campaign to adopt her and tried to take a picture with her that I planned to just casually leave sitting on his desk inside the restaurant for him to see. When I kneeled down to take the picture, she rolled over on her back for me to rub her belly!

Shortly afterward, the reporter shot more footage of the dogs each trying some frozen custard, and what do you know--Mandy was the one who made the news! She was the unofficial spokes-dog of Bop's! I begged and begged for a while and when he finally gave in and said we could adopt her, I couldn't help it--I burst into tears! It'd been a bit of a rough week and she just came along at just the right moment.

Mandy has fit right into our household with her 2 canine brothers, Redus (her Lab brother who lives outside with her) and Reggie (her fiesty little Lhasa Apso brother who lives inside) and her feline brother, Alex, who is also inside. She is enrolled in a beginners training class at PetSmart and has already learned to sit, get back (when she can hardly stand the excitement of us walking out the back door to see her), and work with the clicker from class.

She is often found cuddling with Redus, and absolutely loves going for runs on her leash. She is truly one of the sweetest dogs around, and it's unbelievable how grateful she seems to have a forever home. She was an "owner surrendered" pet, and we always say to each other that we can't imagine how someone could ever give her up; she is such a blessing in our lives, and believe it or not, all 3 dogs get along and Redus and she love each other. Mandy will be a year old in 3 days, and we look forward to many happy memories and years with her to come!

Challenge memos from Kim.pdf

Memos from the desk of Kim Janzen, KHS President. Sent to staff and volunteers throughout the Challenge.
Thanks Kim for keeping everyone informed!

The TLC Animal Service Center closed at 5pm today and the approximate count for lives saved during the challenge is 1066 - this isn't 100% accurate but it is almost double what they adopted last year during the same three month period, which is absolutely fantastic!

We've been number one in the voting for several days, but the best news yet -- I've been adopted and have finally found MY forever home!

Thanks to all the city employees, local businesses and citizens who helped in the Reaching for the Stars campaign. These hardworking humans worked tirelessly to Save More Lives and educate our community on responsible pet ownership.

If you are considering adding a pet to your family PLEASE visit your local shelter and remember STOPPING overpopulation STARTS by spaying or neutering your pet!

Cya!
Daisy