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Winter 2008

Soon people will be reading a holiday story that contains “All the stockings were hung by the chimney with
care.” This year, as I write this newsletter, we know that we will be hanging more stockings than usual.
Currently there are 27 dogs waiting for homes at the shelter and 57 cats and kittens. We still have names on
our waiting list for a call from us about an open spot. Each holiday season the staff hangs a stocking for each
dog and puts up a holiday tree for the cats for treats and toys. Please stop in and wish the animals a ‘Happy
Holiday!’ A holiday idea for giving is our “No Shopping Gift Giving” -Won’t you consider giving a gift in honor
of a family member to NHS – the form is in this newsletter.

As we mature as an organization we continue to explore ways that we can improve the lives of animals in need
of help as well as their families. The question was asked – “Are more people calling to surrender their animals
because of financial problems.” This problem seems to be one that is being faced nationwide with our current
state of a poor economy. When the answer is ‘Yes’ to this question we are able to help and keep the animal in
the home. Alecia Austin our Shelter manager and NHS Board member Pam Warner broke down the reason for
surrenders into 6 major categories. Of the 97 dogs listed in our book since last April (half of our fiscal year)
the results are as follows: No Time – 8 dogs, Financial Problems – 34 dogs, Moving – 17 dogs, Behavior
Problems – 19 dogs, Stray – 2 dogs, Too Many – 17 dogs. For those that have financial problems we offer them
assistance with dog food on a limited term basis and those needing help with spay and neutering of the dogs
we are able to offer assistance thru our George Svejda Memorial Fund or our DJ&T Grant which is for dogs
only. At the time these numbers were put together there were 14 dogs waiting to come into the shelter.

Since April 2008 thru October 1 2008 we have taken calls to surrender 176 Cats and/or Kittens. The reasons
given were: No time – 1 cat, Financial Problems – 17 cats, Moving – 26 cats, Allergies – 5 cats, Behavior – 3
cats, Strays – 56 cats, Too Many – 68 cats. Again, we offer assistance with food, spay or neutering and if the cat
is a feral cat we offer help with a Trap Neuter Return program. At the time these figures were prepared there
were 55 cats and/or kittens waiting to come to the shelter.

The problem of unwanted cats is a concern everywhere. The Northwoods Humane Society supports the Trap
Neuter Return (TNR) approach to problem solving in the case of feral cats. A feral cat is one that has never
been socialized, cannot be handled and is able to live on his or her own. TNR is done to insure the cat will not
reproduce and by returning it to the same site an individual commits to providing food for the cat. The
approach is praised for its success. Recently, there have been two large cat colonies identified in the City of
Hayward. The City did not want to do TNR at these sites.   Thru the attentiveness of a Hayward resident and a
group called Feline and Canine Friends who specializes in feral cats, we were able to facilitate an alternative
to euthanizing all of these cats. We thank them for making this possible and thank Jackie and Ivan Uttech for
their time providing transportation. This was a one-time opportunity. Unfortunately, for the unwanted feral
cats – there are usually just two alternatives - TNR or euthanization.

The Northwoods Humane Society had the opportunity to assist in a small way by taking five dogs from the
Wisconsin Humane Society this November. WHS purchased the largest puppy mill in the United States in
Southern Wisconsin. This was done during the summer and they received 1,163 dogs that were used for
breeding or had just been bred. We received a poodle, 2 bichon, carin terrier and a miniature Schnauzer. All
were mature, several were poorly socialized and as I write this the poodle and miniature schnauzer are still
waiting for homes. We really praise WHS for being so pro-active. Puppy mills in their truest form create a
miserable environment for the breeding animals and often produce unhealthy animals. The best way to stop
them is not support them – don’t meet the seller in a parking lot. Don’t respond to ads that list a multiple of
breeds. For them it is all about making money. There are excellent breeders – do your research - if you don’t
find the dog you are looking for at a shelter –
meet the breeder in their home and see how they care for their animals – meet the parents of your new dog.

As we look at the year 2008 financial status, we see that the end of our fiscal year puts us in the black. We
have met our financial needs by a few extra dollars. Our monies come from donations, memorials, adoptions
fees, fund raisers and our thrift shop. We receive no money from local, state or federal government sources.
NHS is blessed with the generosity of members such as Sharon Svejda and her son David Svejda. They
established a memorial fund for her husband George Svejda. The purpose of the fund is to assist financially
with the spay and neutering of owned animals and with assistance for low income pet owners for emergency
pet care. David’s employer Grainger has a 3 to 1 matching charitable gifts program which has enhanced the
fund over the past several years.

This year NHS has written for three grants. With the help of Diane McNamer we were granted a DJ &T grant of
$5,000 for spay and neutering of owned animals. This grant is being facilitated by NHS members Regina Petty
and Barbara Sealey. Alecia Austin and I wrote for a grant from the Belisle Fund of the St. Croix Valley
Community Foundation for $788 which purchased a great new printer for a variety of needs. Alecia wrote a
grant for a new generator, but to date we haven’t heard the results.

Our Pat Geddis Memorial fund also provides help with spay and neutering of owned animals and our feral cat
TNR program. Pam Warner also facilitates our SNAP program, which with the help of the veterinarians divides
the cost between owner, NHS and the veterinarian clinic. Our area veterinarians all work with NHS in a variety
of ways. Please thank your vets for their support of NHS. They help make our monies go further and make
more work possible. NHS also helped with housing pets of abused women that had to leave their home. Our
thanks to Linda Graham for her support with our outreach programs.

Our fundraising efforts were many this past year. Our Help Save A Pet Super Raffle brought in about $11,000.
This is down from last year. We are in need of a major prize – so if you have any ideas please let me know. We
had started a cash raffle but for a variety of reasons, mainly a very slow start on our part and not the right
promotion we pulled it and want to revisit this idea. Art For Animals was fabulous! We raised $28,000. BJ
Schwartzhoff and Beth Pricco worked hard and long and the committee members did a super setup job and
working the event. Again, we were gifted with the talents of Tom Nigbor and the MC’ing of Diane McNamer.
Our corporate sponsors were Peoples Bank of Wisconsin, Tri-R Realty and Art Beat of Hayward

NHS Tag Day which is the first Monday of August set a record high of $3,600. We thank Sis Hale and Carol
Hannah and their team of 29 people for their successful work. Our Cause Fore Paws Golf Tournament
sponsored by Camp David Realty and Garmisch Inn was very successful – it is a very special event with a
cocktail party the night before at Garmisch Inn, a terrific day of golfing at Telemark followed by a full meal at
Garmisch. We are looking to expand the number of teams and sponsors for next year, so please save August
29 and 30. The event raised $14,000 this year. There were a couple of special events that happened one
being at Rocky’s Service in Cable. Roger Rochenbach, owner shared the proceeds with NHS and Cable Lions
Club of an auctioned off car. Ryan and Doug owners of Mulberry Street held the third NHS Holiday shopping
event with a percentage of sales going to NHS as did Beehive Botanical. Organizations such as the Hayward
Retired Teachers, Wisconsin Tavern League, The Red Hatters, The Chippewa Flowage Association the Hayward
Lioness, Seeley Lions Club and the Badger Women’s Club remember NHS in a variety of ways. Diane Ruff has
included NHS as a recipient of a percentage of her Melaleuca sales. We thank Andy and Janie Walch for the
car they donated for us to sell. Hookstone Winery donates a portion of their Shelter Strawberry and Apple
Adoption wine to NHS. Fromm Feeding Friends and Dog Patch gifted NHS with a percentage of sales. Our NHS
coin houses are carefully cared for by Dale Shaw and brought in $1,914.. Frank Metzinger is our “Can Man”.
Recycled aluminum cans brought in $2,630.

Our NHS Thrift Shop located is on Main Street in Hayward. This is our second year in this spot. This was our
best year financially. I won’t know the final figures until the Board Meeting. Michelle Graham is our financial
guide there and is pleased with our progress. The volunteers led by Dick Langton had the shop open 7 days a
week. We could have used more help on the weekends so if you see you have a weekend day to spare once
in a while contact the shop. There was also a group that held two yard sales at Warren Ogren’s home. The
first wasn’t very successful but the September sale went very well. There will be some scheduled for next
summer. The shop takes used books, jewelry, decorative and kitchen items, collectibles and small furniture
and small appliances. We are not able to take exercise equipment, old sports items, upholstered furniture,
white appliances or monitors. Items may be taken to the shop or to the shelter. It is important that items are
clean and in very good condition. When we have to dispose of items it costs money that could be used for
caring for the animals.

NHS, as always is committed to helping animals in need and we approach 2009 with a positive outlook and yet a
tinge of concern about finances. We will have our major fundraiser on June 20, 2009 – A Celebration of
Animals and Plants, we are working on a new cookbook (look for more info in this newsletter), we are taking a
look at our raffles and making some changes, we will have Tag Day on the calendar for August 3, have the
plans underway for our great golf tournament “Cause Fore Paws” on August 30th at Telemark and the cocktail
party and auction at Garmisch Inn on August 29, Schultz’s Turkey Bowl is coming up on March 7, our Thrift Shop
continues to thrive, several yard sales will be planned for next summer and our “Paws of Appreciation Potluck
and Program” will take place on Monday, March 2.

Would you like to be notified about NHS happenings and animal issues? Please send you e-mail address to
nhs1@centurytel.net and put “Add my e-mail address” in the subject box. These will not be shared.

This newsletter contains many names, numbers and dates. Every person, event and donation is all about one
thing – HELPING ANIMALS IN NEED! The need is great! Everyone makes a difference!
                                                   Thank you for caring and sharing.       Deanna Persson, President

PS – a Special ‘Thank You Note’ to Charmaine Metzinger who has written 890 ‘Thank You Notes’ during 2008!

                                                                           Shelter Report

May 2008
Adoptions: 15 dogs, 1 cat. Returned to owner-2. Euthanized**: 9 dogs (8 from parvo), 3 cats.

June 2008
Adoptions: 16 dogs, 6 cats. Returned to owner-1 cat. Other adoptions *** 14 cats. Euthanized. 1 cat.

July 2008
Adoptions: 11 dogs, 8 cats. Euthanized 2 dogs.

August 2008
Adoptions: 11 dogs, 12 cats. Euthanized 2 dogs, 5 cats. 1 cat died.

September 2008
Adoptions 6 dogs, 5 cats. Other adoptions 6 cats. Euthanized 20 puppies (2 parvo litters). One cat died.

**Euthanasia is done because of terminal health issues, aggression or behavior that makes an animal
unadoptable.

***Other adoptions are done for animals that NHS has cared for and placed by networking with the Wisconsin
Humane Society, Dog Patch of Naperville, IL or breed/species rescues.