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Hi Pet People! Now this is my type of PAW-TAY….Blackhawks+open bar+helping out one of Chicago’s hardest working animal welfare groups, Trio Animal Foundation=I’m there!

Come meet the volunteers of Trio Animal Foundation and very important pooch, Geiger, everyone’s favorite 3-legged Chihuahua and Trio Animal Foundation spokesmodel, to watch the Hawks take down the Dallas Stars at Witts (2913 North Lincoln Ave) on Thursday, February 23, 2012. The $10 donation includes well mixers, select draft beer and tasty appetizers from 6-8 pm.

Witts has generously donated the party, so all money raised will go directly to Trio Animal Foundation to help their Hawks dogs: Hossa, Shaw, Seabrook, Leddy and Bolland-they so cleverly named after Blackhawk players. All of these dogs are available for adoption through Project Rescue Chicago.

For more information on Trio Animal Foundation, please visit their website or for the latest join their Facebook page!

Wags,
Steph

Stephanie Krol can be best described as a mixed breed of a newshound and publicist in the pet industry. She has the ability to sniff out the latest lifestyle trends when it comes to pets. As a proud “pet parent” of three rescues Nigel (cat), Simon (dog) and recent addition of Nola (cat). Stephanie spreads the word of animal welfare every chance she gets. She is the board president of the Humane Society of Elkhart County and serves as a spokeswoman for the animal shelter along with volunteers for a variety of animal welfare initiatives. For more information, visit Steph Tails All on Facebook.

TAILS would like to encourage our readers and friends in the Springfield, Illinois area to support the The Humane Society of the United States in the Illinois Humane Lobby Day in Springfield, and help make a tremendous difference for animals.

This is an exciting opportunity to meet directly with elected officials and their staff about legislation that will significantly impact animals. There will be a briefing with tips for lobbying, and an overview of pending animal legislation which will prepare you to meet your elected officials and advocate for animals.

Legislators are most motivated when their constituents make time to meet with them face to face. RSVP today to lend your voice for animals and make a difference in Illinois! Contact Kristen Strawbridge at kstrawbridge@humanesociety.org if you have additional questions.

Tell Your Friends

Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Address:
502 S. Spring St.
Springfield, IL 62706
United States

If you’d like to attend this event you can RSVP online by clicking here:  http://action.humanesociety.org/site/Calendar/1249183449

Photo courtesy of Witts

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Witts, 2913 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

$10 donation*

Includes well mixers, select draft beer & appetizers from 6-8 pm. Please stay on and watch the Hawks vs. Dallas Stars game with us.

Fun raffle prizes too!

RSVP:  jill@trioanimalfoundation.org or on the event Facebook Page

*Witts has generously donated the party, so all money raised will go directly to TAF and will help our Hawks dogs: Hossa, Shaw, Seabrook, Leddy and Bolland.

Looking for an educational and heartwarming story about finding the purr-fect pet? Look no further. Thanks to children’s author Barbara Carroll her newly released book, Valentine: A Purr-fect Kitty is sure to be a much loved favorite by those of all ages.

Valentine is a cat, and she finds a new home with Mr. and Mrs. Bee. As she explores her new home, she makes interesting discoveries about her new home—there is delicious food, and it is fun to make believe Mr. Bee is another cat and pounce on him! Prowl along with Valentine in her curious tale, Valentine: A Purr-fect Kitty.

Barbara G. Carroll is an educator with over thirty years of experience. She currently resides in the Chicago-land area and runs a learning center along with her own company, Moon Hollow Enterprises, Inc. Barbara Carroll continues to write lyrical and engaging children’s stories in her spare time. Visit her website at Moon Hollow Publishing to see other projects and stories in the works.

Carroll will be signing copies of Valentine: A Purr-fect Kitty from 1 PM -3 PM on February 11, 2012 at Frugal Muse Books, Music, and Movies located at 7511 Lemont Rd., Chestnut Court, Darien, IL 60561.

CASA brings animal welfare agencies together
By Brendan Quealy

Everything tends to go a bit smoother when people are pulling in the same direction. That is why animal welfare agencies across the Chicagoland area came together in 2003 to form the Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance (CASA). Today, the Animal Welfare League, Anti-Cruelty Society, Chicago Animal Care and Control, Chicago Canine Rescue, Found Chicago, Harmony House, Lake Shore Animal Shelter, PACT Humane Society, PAWS Chicago, Puppy Love/Love Cats Pet Rescue, Red Door Animal Shelter, and the Tree House Humane Society are partners in a joint effort to “reach a greater audience and, make a greater impact.”

“The Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance, like other alliances of its kind, works for the betterment—and, I believe, is essential to the credibility—of the animal welfare community,” says CASA President Cynthia Bathurst.  “An alliance provides the breadth and depth of expertise and commitment that are needed to address animal welfare issues in our communities.” 

Dave De Funiak, executive director of Tree House Humane Society and treasurer of CASA says that the ultimate goal of the partnership is to reduce and eventually eliminate the “needless euthanasia of companion animals in our city, and find homes for every adoptable animal in Chicago.”

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Midwest Dachshund Rescue
815.260.6734
MWDR.org

Hi! My name is Nemo, and I am lover and wiggle-butt, too. I’m a bit disoriented because of my blindness, but I do surprisingly well in a new environment. I am very alert and will let you know when someone is at the door by giving a couple of barks. I like my toys but once I bring them to my bed, no one better touch `em! I’ve had a few mistakes in the house in the past, but my potty training is really going well. I eat, drink, and sleep well, and I’m a happy boy.

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? 
Probably a bonsai tree because they are small and strong—just like me.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I am so ready to find my new home. I am in need of some serious love in the form of treats and belly rubs. I wouldn’t mind a short walk every now and then, too.

What do you dream of at night?
Hanging out all day with you in my great new home. I also dream about playing with my good pal Dory. We are awesome together.

Who is your best friend?
My other half is Dory. Together we are just like Nemo and Dory from Disney’s Finding Nemo. Now that you’ve found me, maybe you’d like to rescue Dory as well. We are great as a pair.

Alive Rescue
773.913.8100
AliveRescue.org

Hi, I’m Calypso, and my name describes me very well. I’m named for a type of music which nowadays is associated with happiness and fun, but was created to get through the hard times. I have been through some difficult times myself, but now life is like a song, and I need a dance partner! I thrive on human attention and bond quickly with those around me. If you adopt me, I’m eligible for a lifetime of FREE TRAINING!

What movie star would you want to portray you in a movie of your life?
I think Hilary Swank would be the one to play me. Ms. Swank went from being homeless to being a two-time Oscar winner. She would understand that the better life I dream of is possible, and that there is no time to wallow in sadness when great things await.

What do you want to be when you grow up? 
Someone’s best friend.

What is your favorite board game?
Chutes and Ladders. It’s fun, and just like my life, you have to work to avoid the missteps that send you back a few places.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now? 
They say good things come to those who wait, and I have been waiting a long time. I have lots of love stored away to shower on my new family. I really love to be around people. I like to play, make people smile and laugh, and I’m exceptionally gifted with good snuggle skills.

Photo credit: Petside.co.uk

So much heartache and suffering could be avoided if people would simply stop purchasing dogs from pet stores and adopt from a local shelter or rescue (or at least a reputable breeder). While it’s not to say a shelter dogs cannot get distemper, but the chances are much less.

Yesterday a third case of canine distemper had been confirmed and traced back to two pet stores in the Chicago area. Puppy mills are suspected at the root of the outbreak.

According to the Human Society of the United States, three puppies diagnosed with the potentially deadly and highly contagious disease were purchased at two Happiness is Pets stores in the Chicago area.

Dakota, a four month old Dachshund, is fighting for her life.

Earlier this month, James Hollensteiner and Natalie Sallee purchased a four-month-old Yellow Lab named Lucy. Soon after the couple welcomed Lucy into their home, she began shaking uncontrollably. The illness had spread to her brain and spine.

The couple ended Lucy’s suffering Tuesday.

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Hi Pet People!

Join me at Franklin Tap, along with my very thoughtful colleagues at Matrix Partners as we team up to throw a happy hour benefit for Trio Animal Foundation on Wednesday, January 25th. We are trying to raise money to help alleviate the many debts that the Trio Animal Foundation has incurred taking care of the many Parvo stricken puppies that they, along with Project Rescue Chicago, recently rescued.

According to Trio Animal Foundation, without the proper treatments, these puppies only have a 9% chance of survival. Trio and Project Rescue are doing everything that they can, but these treatments are very expensive and they need help. After losing one of their litter mates Wedge to this terrible disease, the rest are on the mend and are receiving blood transfusions.

As we all know, vet bills add up quickly! So we are trying to help alleviate some stress and financial burden at Trio Animal Foundation. Our other strategy for the happy hour is to try to bring some happiness and much-deserved attention and love to our friends at Trio Animal Foundation and their partner, Project Rescue Chicago that work around the clock to help save pets in need. I know this case of Antler’s parvo puppies have been extremely hard on the nonprofit’s leaders that saw these puppies as little miracles.

So join us at happy hour at Matrix Partners’ favorite after work joint, the Franklin Tap. At the happy hour, we will have raffles including a prize of a six bottle in-home wine tasting party for up to 14 guests with a professional advisor for 2 hours from Wines for Humanity, valued at $350 (ok, AMAZING!). Another prize is for the Very Important Pet in your life…a special doggie gift basket with loads of goods for your pets, including treats from Stella & Chewy’s, Lickety Stik, Company of Animals and much more! (Valued at $125).

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Amy Kang is determined to make a difference in her community and to help rebuild the pit bull’s reputation as a lovable breed.

Kang is the founder of SociaBulls, an organization that gathers pit bulls and their guardians together every week for a walk around the city of Chicago. The weekly walks not only give the dogs some much needed exercise and socialization, but they also help members of the community see pit bulls in a positive light.

Kang began the organization in 2008 after adopting her pit bull Mazzy from a local shelter. It was love at first sight for Kang and her four-legged friend but she quickly realized that not all people had the same trust and love for a breed that is almost always portrayed as dangerous.

Mazzy, now 7, has learned to put her toys away on command, plays dead, rolls over, shakes, and gets along well with Bruno, another pit bull adopted by Kang in 2008. Mazzy is charming, smart, and playful, everything you could want in a companion, and Kang wants the world to see it.

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