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Northwoods Humane Society – Deanna Persson, President
The Northwoods Humane Society is coming to the end of our fiscal
year. It was a very full year and a very good year. At the end of each
year we take a look at the animals we have served. The following is a
portion of my Board Report. We welcomed Liz Halajeczk as a new Board
member. Liz is owner of Hookstone Winery, has created two wines –
Adopt Apple and Shelter Strawberry – that when sold a percentage goes
to NHS. She is taking dog obedience training for certification and is
passionate about the well being of animals. She will work assist with
grant writing and fundraising activities.
Our Board meeting was held on Tuesday, November 16. We hold two a
year and the next will be in June.
The Board also approved the establishment of a fund for elderly and
special needs dogs. The fund is being seeded by a donation from Gail
and Chuck Vukad, owners of Canine Cottage, in loving memory of their
dog ‘Angie’. The Shelter Committee will develop guidelines for the fund
along with Gail.
Financial reports and budget were prepared by Marcia McIntosh and
Michelle Graham. We ended the year on solid financial note and
approach 2010 knowing we will have to continue to work as hard, need
the continuing support of our members and community to support our
$225,000 budget.
  The following is part of my Board Report and I will share more in next
week’s NHS article.
  The shelter was ‘full to the brim’ with cats during the summer. Lisa
Lew and our volunteers did a marvelous job of keeping everyone clean,
happy and healthy with a few sniffles along the way. At one point we
had 81 cats needing homes, which is too many cats in one place – but
the need was there and we met the challenge. Our dog kennel staff
Randy Meyers and Wendy Koffman are doing an outstanding job with
the dogs.   A special thank you to the Woof Woof Walkers for their
special interest and time. Just as our cat population is becoming more
manageable, our puppy population exploded. Again, our fabulous
volunteers are faithful about making sure the dogs are walked and
socialized. A few dogs have found their way into their walker’s hearts
and have new homes. The staff works with the dogs on a daily basis to
teach them to trust, accept kindness without fear and to develop good
manners.
   Keeping all of the balls in the air is our shelter manager Alecia
Austin. Alecia has been the manager since NHS opened the doors and
she is a wealth of knowledge and experience and continues to take
pride in learning and sharing. Janelle Rogers is our shelter caretaker
who tucks everyone in on most evenings and handles the Sundays
along with our assistant shelter manager Lisa Lew. The office is
handled by volunteers Pam Warner, Sonja Hintler, Eleanor Conner, Mary
Gustafson and joining us recently is Carol Hannah, a long time NHS
volunteer. The staff has also been appreciative of the help that Pat
Dunster of Experience Works gives the staff.
  This year the staff has served 488 dogs and cats at the shelter. This
number does not include the number of animals served thru out
outreach program and it does not include our feral cat program. As I
write this letter, there are 92 animals at the shelter waiting for homes.
There were 189 dogs adoptions facilitated and 170 cat adoptions. Our
dogs come from the Sawyer County Pound (44) and from the LCO Pound
(48). This year there were 8 cats euthanized and 13 dogs. Euthanization
is done because of terminal illness or aggression. We lost two kittens
and 4 puppies to viral pneumonia and two kittens to failing kitten
syndrome.
    NHS Board member Ron Wegener helped address the needs of the
building during the year. NHS wrote for a grant from the St. Croix Valley
Foundation for the cost of paint for the exterior of the building and for
replacement boards. The building was prepped by volunteers Jim
Gustafson and Kip Koffman and the painting was done by Mark Jacobs
of Prime Coat – it looks great. NHS also is in need of a new roof – it didn’
t seem possible that this could be needed so soon – but the building is
14 years old and takes the full brunt of the weather the way it is
situated. NHS wrote a grant for assistance with the roof – we have
received a $5,000 gift from the Eleanor Patterson Baker Foundation
which will be applied to a new roof and new insulation. The roof will be
reviewed again in the spring but the insulation will be installed during
the later part of November. Ivan and Jackie Uttech kept the grounds in
great shape.

  To be continued next week.

Dates to save: December 5 – 2 – 4 p.m. Pamida – Mr. & Mr. Claus
picture time for children and adults for a donation of a pet treat or pet
food.
December 5 – Marketplace – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Chance to buy “The Bear
Shops Here” t-shirts or sweat shirts, NHS Holiday gift items and to see
pictures of animals waiting for homes!
December 12 – NHS Day at Mulberry Street – 10 a.m. 4 p.m. percentage
of all sales go to NHS – Homemade dog Biscuits and cat treats will be
sold along with NHS gift items and a special Mulberry Street holiday
ornament>