Before and After of Humphrey

Poor boy was at the pound in this terrible condition.  It had to hurt.  He was a stray and was picked up by AC.  Sue and Mary went and picked him up on Tues. The next morning Nev whisked him to the groomer, Susan Ellis, to get all pretty.  Doesn't look like the same dog, does it.  It's amazing what great dogs are under those matts.   



Humphrey Before







Humphrey After



Baby Brit

Brit was pulled from Madison County AC last week.  What a great face.  She is a sweet little boxer mix maybe.  She is at the shelter now and would love to be in a foster home to snuggle with someone.  Call the shelter if you would like to help her. 

3 Great Adoptions

While all adoptions are great these three were particularly wonderful.  Patsy, our 14 year old poodle, got to go to a great home to live out her life.  It takes a very special person to adopt a 14 year old.  Next was Mr. Pickles.  Pickles had a big struggle after being hit by a car.  His hip was dislocated and his opposite back leg was severely broken.  His foster family, Bob and Cindy, took great care of him and both injuries healed and all you can see is a bit of a swagger.  They are "foster failures" and decided to make Pick a permanent member of the family.  Way to go Pickles.  Last but not least was Dorothy.  This little beagle was an older girl who had the sweetest personality.  We have had Dorothy for quite some time and finally the perfect home came along for her. 

Fur Ball !!!

The 3rd Annual Fur Ball to benefit the animals at our shelter will be Saturday, April 16 from 7 PM til midnite at the Collinsville VFW.  Ravanelli's will provide the chicken dinner.  The band "Walk On" will perform.  There will be a silent auction, 50/50 drawings, and a raffle for a 7 day cruise for 2 with Holland America.  Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased ahead by calling 540-PETS or at the door.  Join us for a fun evening and help the animals at the shelter!

Mugsy in His New Home

Weekly Update

Very, very busy week.  Op Spot was Thurs. and Friday at the clinic.  We did 45 surgeries in those two days with 74 surgeries total for the week!  Sat. was the Dog Wash at Four Muddy Paws.  We washed about 60 dogs and raised about $1400.00 for the shelter.  One family brought in their 3 Great Pyranees at one time so needless to say we were very busy washing dogs.  The Road Block in Glen Carbon raised about $1500.00 so a very good weekend to help the shelter.  Adoptions were great!  Dopey, Gabe, Bruno, Fergie, Sparky, Chiclet, Rango, Diego, Archie, Toby, Quick, Medea, Buddy, and Hattie were the lucky pooches to go home this week.  Showboat, Lucky, Cashew, Consuelo, Martha, Presley, Frosty and Mollie the lucky kitties. Thanks to all for their hard work this week to make it a success at the clinic, shelter, fund raisers and adoptions.  We couldn't do it without everyone helping and doing their part to help the dogs and cats.  You really make a huge difference.      

Edwardsville Intelligencer Article

PARTNERS FOR PETS FACING POSSIBLE CLOSURE                                       March 10, 2011

Rising operational costs, declining donations put non-profit organization in jeopardy

By Jennifer Davis

Local non-profit organization Partners for Pets (P4P) faces the
potential of shutting down a mere seven months after celebrating its
expansion into the Warren Billhartz Animal Shelter. If its current
financial situation continues, P4P could close its doors in as little
as five months.
P4P moved into the Warren Billhartz animal shelter last August with
the intent of taking over the care and adoption of animals and running
the shelter. The volunteer staff of P4P was able to ensure more open
hours for the shelter, and the group’s no-kill mission has led to the
rescue and adoption of animals which were on “kill” lists at other
shelters.
But rising costs of running the program, along with a decline in
donations in past months, has P4P founder Lisa McCormick, of Troy,
worried about the future.
“The biggest problem, of course, is donations are really down,” she said.
Donations are the foundation of groups like P4P, who don’t receive any
money from the State of Illinois. Neither do they receive any
reimbursement from the City of Collinsville. They are funded entirely
through donations, fundraisers, and adoption fees.
“Partners for Pets pays for everything,” McCormick said. “For the
staff, the dog food, the medical care, the spay/neuter clinic.”
Why have donations been down?  “For one, because of the economy,”
McCormick said. But there’s another factor. Ironically, P4P’s
celebrated expansion into the Warren Billhartz Animal Shelter may have
hurt funding. After P4P took control of the shelter last August, says
McCormick, residents began making donations to the animal shelter
thinking the money would go to P4P.
“People write checks out to Warren Billhartz Animal Shelter, but we
don’t get that (money),” she said. “It goes to maintain the building,
but it doesn’t go for care of any of the animals.”
This is because Partners for Pets, not the animal shelter, is in
control of the care, adoption, and medical attention received by all
the animals. They took on these responsibilities, plus keeping the
shelter open 7 days a week, in exchange for use of the facility. To
give money to P4P, donors must write the check specifically to
Partners for Pets.
The monthly cost of operating the Billhartz shelter and its
spay/neuter clinic, is between $20 and $25 thousand, McCormick
estimates. This includes three full-time employees, five part-time
employees, reimbursement for vets who put in hours outside of work to
staff the clinic, animal food, medicine, medical equipment, and
regular bills like heating and water. P4P also runs a small shelter
out of McCormick’s property in Troy where very sick animals are kept
for care.
Operational costs have been heavier than McCormick anticipated when
the shelter first opened. The spay/neuter clinic, which opened last
fall, required purchasing medical equipment such as tables, an oxygen
machine, and recovery cages. A vet tech was hired to assist with
surgeries, as well as an assistant.
“When we’re doing 20 surgeries,” McCormick said, “someone has to help
get the dogs on the table, watch the dogs and cats after they have
their surgery…clean up after everything, check people in when they
come in for the surgeries and check them out.”
The adoption program also necessitated an adoption coordinator to help
place approximately 90 animals in new homes each month. In 2010, 1,102
dogs and cats were rescued and placed in new homes. Currently, more
than 150 animals are in foster care with P4P volunteers or at the
shelter.
With adoption fees at $60 for cats and $125 for dogs, that’s an
average of $10,000 per month in fees. P4P charges $75 for its
spay/neuter services, but this money goes to pay for medication and
sutures for the treated animals.
“I’m just hoping that we get some support here and that it doesn’t
come to (closing our doors),” McCormick said.
She also stated that she wants to continue helping animals. “Last week
we did 65 spay and neuters, and that really does help cut down on
animals that aren’t wanted,” she said. Of the more than one thousand
animals rescued this year, she said, “that’s a lot of animals that
would have otherwise been put down.”
P4P has several fundraising events planned in hopes of getting a boost
to make it through the next few months. The Camelot Bowl in
Collinsville will host a fundraiser bowling tournament on Saturday,
March 12. A dog wash in Edwardsville will take place the next weekend,
and the Fur Ball chicken dinner and dance is coming on April 16. A
golf tournament at Arlington Greens on June 4 rounds out the spring
fundraising season.
The shelter is located at 119 United Drive in Collinsville, and on the
web at Petfinder.com. For more information, call the
shelter at 540-PETS (7387).

--
Rachel Davis
Collinsville Reporter
Edwardsville Intelligencer
618-656-4700 ext. 36

Weekly Update

Last week was a little slow for adoptions.  Kelso, Sleepy, Tressa, Sheila, Figge, Zambo, and Coral all went to new homes.  Kitties were Biggy, Massa and Biff.  We did do 54 spay and neuters at the clinic.  After the last few weeks with excellent adoption numbers we got a little too ahead of ourselves and pulled a few too many dogs.  Needless to say both shelters are pretty full.  If anyone has room for a foster please let Nev know at the shelter at 618-540-7387.

Joe Blacks' New Do

Volunteer Karen took Joe Black to the groomer to get all spruced up.  He looks beautiful!  You could tell he felt better and seemed much happier.  A big thank you to Karen and her groomer!

Pins For Pets Bowling Party Rocked!!

A good time was had by all at the first annual Pins For Pets Bowling Party.  It was a blast!!!  Patrick, Laura, Lindsay, David and Jennifer made this happen with Patrick being the idea man behind this.  Thanks to all of them for making this great.  Their efforts raised $1388.00 to help the rescues at the shelter.  I just sat back and looked at all the people that came to bowl to help our cause.  It was really amazing.  Then it was my turn to bowl and a strike!!  Thanks to Camelot Bowl in Collinsville for hosting the fund raiser.  See our Facebook page for pictures. 

Dog Wash at Four Muddy Paws Saturday

This Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM we will be washing dogs to benefit P4P.  Four Muddy Paws in Glen Carbon is letting us use their facilities and volunteers from P4P will wash your dog for $15.00.  All proceeds will benefit the animals in our rescue. 

Road Block This Saturday

A roadblock to raise funds for P4P will be held this Saturday, March 19 from 8 AM to 2 PM.  It is in Glen Carbon, IL at the intersection of Meridian and Main.  A roadblock is when you stand in the road at an intersection and hope people will give you money and not run over you. Volunteers are still needed to man the four corners so call Annette at 977-3284 if you can help. We need people from 10-12, and 12-2 PM.   

Quarter Auction a Big Success!!

A Quarter Auction was held Friday PM to benefit the animals at our shelter.  They raised $733.00 and a big truckload of supplies!!  See our Facebook page for the lovely vendors that supported us. 

Fractured Pelvis Pup Needs a Foster

   A 4-5 month old pup came into the E Clinic with a fractured pelvis.  The people found the pup and left it there.  Anyone interested in fostering the pooch.  He will need 6-8 weeks of cage rest. The pup will be at our shelter in the AM so call there to find out the details about fostering this cute face.

Joe Black Needs a Foster

Joe, the Cocker,  is having some ear problems that needs some serious attention.  He has been to the vet several times and will get checked again this week.  I think he would really benefit from a foster that would give him one on one attention for those ears.  He has been stuck at the shelter for months and is a really sweet boy.  Quite the gentleman.  The stress there probably isn't helping and he seems very sad.  Anyone that is a good ear person-we need your help!!

Cruise Raffle Tickets

Once again we have a cruise to raffle to help raise funds for our rescues.  Holland America allows charities to purchase the cruise at a discounted rate to help them raise money.  There is no time limit on the cruise.  The 7 day cruise includes a choice of destinations. A chance to win the cruise and to help the rescues at our shelter is $10.00.  Call Angie at 618-560-9788

Ten Spot Fix Full

Within a few days all appointments for the Ten Spot Fix have been filled.  Sorry if you missed this one.  There are other vets in the area participating so check out Operation Spot for a list of participating vets.  Thanks for your support. 

Weekly Update

Great week!!  The spay/neuter clinic did 65 surgeries for the week.  Way to go guys!!  Each week we have more and more appointments.  Adoptions were good-18 dogs and 9 kitties.  Lil Bear was adopted.  He looked so happy.  Thanks to his foster mom-Chris for giving him a sparkle to his eye.  Olivia got adopted.  She was so happy.  Two seniors into new homes!  Ripple, Yoshi, Fiji, Carissa, Yulchi, Roxy, Bentley (my parvo boy), Abigail, Maggie (another senior), Struedel, Lily, Enoch, Biskit, and Guenther were the dogs that were adopted. Kitties were Alvin, Zena, Sylvester, Haily, Tangerine, Salem, BoBo, Alfina, Frazell.  We went to Belleville and Glen Carbon on Saturday.  Lots of people in the shelter to visit.  Busy, busy week.   

Sad Little Pups Update

Honey and Lucky are growing some hair!!  It's just a little but the sores and scabs are almost gone.  Don't they look snappy in their little coats.  Both pups are feeling much better as their skin is healing.  They love to play with toys.  They are really chow hounds too.  While they still look pretty awful and have little rat tails, there are two cute pups in there. 

Update on Cadbury

Cadbury had her surgery on Tuesday with Dr. Ervin performing the surgery at Horseshoe.  All went well but it was a hard surgery.  Dr. E was optimistic.  She is using her front leg to scoot around so hopefully it will heal enough she will be able to use it.  Good news this AM.  Cadbury stood up on her own and put weight on the front leg!!  Way to go girl!  So far so good.  Will keep you posted.  Thanks to all who helped make her surgery possible.  Especially to Mary who stuck up for her and took her into her home. 

Cadbury's Surgery

Cadbury had her surgery today and it went well.  Dr. E pieced her fractured leg back together and she is resting comfortably.  He thought the leg might be a bit shorter but would be fine.  Now 8 weeks of bed rest to get the leg to heal.  Her front leg is still iffy but we have seen her using it to manuever herself around.  Thanks to all who have helped her to get her surgery, have called or said a prayer.  She is doing great!

Ten Spot Fix

We will be participating in the Ten Spot Fix on March 17 and 18 at the shelter.  The public may get their pet spayed or neutered at our spay/neuter clinic for $10.00.  Proof of a rabies vaccine is required or one will be given for $10.00. Appointments are required.  Please call 618-972-5572.