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Elk Country Animal Shelter

Barks ‘n MeowsSpring 2009 (989) 785-3738 www.elkcountryanimalshelter.org 11484 Youngs Rd. • P.O. Box 434, Atlanta, MI 49709

SHELTERBUILDING UPDATEOur kennels are complete and waiting for their new

guests. The Cat Community is being finished up and thePuppy room is just as close to completion. The electriciansare finishing up a few things and the plumber is waiting oncounter tops. After we finish these last minute items theDepartment of Agriculture Veterinarian will come in andinspect us for our license. The license process may take afew weeks, however we should be able to open on atemporary permit until we get the license. We will stillneed to complete the outside kennels and fencing as soonas the weather breaks and the mud dries up.

Our opening day is just around the corner and everyoneis excited. Even the dogs at the Sherriff DepartmentAnimal Control Kennels can tell we are real close, someof them have been watching for months! We can’t pick adate yet; we will as soon as the Veterinarian from theDepartment of Agriculture gives us thumbs up, and wewill keep all of you informed.

The walk-in grooming tub Ready to pour cement for the dog runs

The dog kennels are in place.

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Show Your SupportInside or Out

Help us Raise the Woof! Brick pavers to be displayedoutside, beautifully etched black granite plaques to bedisplayed inside the shelter.Below is a list of ways to honor your family, an event -such as a birthday, family reunion or anniversary, or amemorial tribute for a beloved friend, family member orpet and show your support for the Elk Country AnimalShelter.Brick-size Paver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100Limit of 2 lines 13 characters8" x 8" Paver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250Great for those needing more room12" x 12" Paver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500Enough room for a business logo6" X 6" Black Granite Plaque etched with your inscriptionand a photo if desired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $80If you are interested in any of the above, please callMaggie at 989-786-5139 at or Pauline at 989-785-3463.

Forms available online atwww.elkcountryanimalshelter.org/FORMS

Elk Country Animal Shelter

P.O. Box 434 • 11484 Youngs RoadAtlanta, MI 49709

Phone: 989-785-3738www.elkcountryanimalshelter.org

We are close to opening our shelter building and now needyour support more than ever. At this time dog adoptions aredone through the Montmorency Country Sheriff Department.They do not have facilities to house cats.

Board of Directors:

President • Pauline HancockVice President • Maggie TatumSecretary • Rochelle HaeusslerCorresponding Secretary • Pat CrawfordTreasurer • Mary HubbardDirector • Carol YoungDirector • Sarah PrinceYouth Group Chairperson • Sarah Prince

Contact List:

If you want to help with any of our projects, these are thepeople to contact:

Atlanta: Pat Crawford, (989) 785-4636

Hillman: Robin Smiley (989) 370-2569

Lewiston: Katie or Steve Schlecht (989) 786-5585

Meetings are usually at 7pm the second Thursday of themonth. Join us at our new building on M32 next to theSheriff’s Department. Specifics are in the local paper theweek before or listed on our website.

Mission Statement: The Elk Country Animal Shelter shallbe committed to providing a caring shelter and eventualplacement of adoptable animals; be advocates forcompanion animals; provide education on the proper careof animals and promote understanding of the need tocontrol the population of unwanted animals.

Your Help is NeededWe canWe canWe canWe canWe can’t do it alone. The Elk Country’t do it alone. The Elk Country’t do it alone. The Elk Country’t do it alone. The Elk Country’t do it alone. The Elk CountryAnimal Shelter is a private, nonprofitAnimal Shelter is a private, nonprofitAnimal Shelter is a private, nonprofitAnimal Shelter is a private, nonprofitAnimal Shelter is a private, nonprofitorganization. We receive no funds fromorganization. We receive no funds fromorganization. We receive no funds fromorganization. We receive no funds fromorganization. We receive no funds fromthe county, state or federal government.the county, state or federal government.the county, state or federal government.the county, state or federal government.the county, state or federal government.We receive no funds from national groupsWe receive no funds from national groupsWe receive no funds from national groupsWe receive no funds from national groupsWe receive no funds from national groupssuch as the ASPCA or the Humane Societysuch as the ASPCA or the Humane Societysuch as the ASPCA or the Humane Societysuch as the ASPCA or the Humane Societysuch as the ASPCA or the Humane Societyof the United States, nor are we afilaiatedof the United States, nor are we afilaiatedof the United States, nor are we afilaiatedof the United States, nor are we afilaiatedof the United States, nor are we afilaiatedwith those groups. We are funded solelywith those groups. We are funded solelywith those groups. We are funded solelywith those groups. We are funded solelywith those groups. We are funded solelyby donations.by donations.by donations.by donations.by donations.

MemorialsWelcome

Remember friends, relative and pets through a memo-rial contribution to the Elk Country Animal Shelter. TheShelter gratefully acknowledges these gifts with a cardto the family on behalf of the Shelter and the donor(s).Gifts, whether large or small help ensure that the shelterwill grow and continue to serve as a vital resource for thecommunity for years to come. All the memorial contri-butions are tax deductible within the limits provided bythe law. In planning your estate, please remember theElk Country Animal Shelter Endowment Fund.

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LongabergerBasket Offer:

Help the Shelter by purchasing our ThirdElk Country Animal Shelter Longaberger bas-ket. Help celebrate our first year in the shelterbuilding with one of these gorgeous baskets.The basket is a warm brown berry basket withpaw-print trim .The set comes with a plasticprotector and a beautiful laser-engraved lidwith the Elk Country Animal Shelter logo.The Basket Set (protector, lid and basket) is85.00; basket and protector only 62.00 andbasket only 50.00—All profits go to the ElkCountry Animal Shelter “Appliance” Fund.Contact Maggie Tatum (989-786-5528) toorder one before April 1, 2009.

4PM 7PM SATURDAY MARCH 28 Fifty Plus Club

Lewiston

Italian Dinner

Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread, Desserts

$7 Per Person

CONTACT PERSON: KATIE

SCHLECHT 989-786-5585

Elk Country Animal Shelter

6th Annual

The oldest cat recorded was a tabby named“Puss” in Devon, England who lived to be 36years of age.Pet Trivia:

WISHLISTTowels, Paper towelsOld blanketsMilkBone type crunchytreatsGas cards, Please, please,pleaseBuckle collars, new or used(in good condition) mostlymedium and large sizeBleach and Dawn dish soapLaundry soap, fabric soft-ener and softener sheetsNon-scoopable kitty litterKitty litter pansAnimal Crates (plastic air-line type)8½x11 photo paperHP printer Ink #95 or #96Pedigree dry dog food,small bitesCash for special medicalneeds, please specify oncheck “medical” or “vetcare”And warm, safe, lovinghomes for all of them

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Cat spay andneuter clinics planned

in April and MayOh Wow, Meow! . . . Kitten Season is coming. . . Kitten

Season is coming… Schedule your cat for a spay or neutertoday! Elk Country Animal Shelter will sponsor two one-daycat spay and neuter clinics — Sunday, April 19, 2009 inLewiston at Bud Jones Insurance Agency, and Tuesday, May12, 2009 in Atlanta at the new shelter building.

Thanks to a grant from Petsmart Charities, feline spays orneuters will be $10 for cat owners, but spaces at these clinicsare limited, especially for female cats, so please call 989-786-5139, and leave a message at the prompt to schedule anappointment today.

Have you ever heard of the “Kitten Season” before?No? Well you are not alone. Most people who do notwork in the animal welfare sector or the veterinaryworld are not aware that this even exists. Here are somefacts and figures that you need to know:

“Kitten Season” is the unofficial name for themating season for cats and is generally assumed tolast from the months of March through November!

An unspayed female cat will go into heat every 3weeks!

The average size of her litters is 4-6 kittens!

One mother cat can produce 18 kittens in oneseason!

A female cat can begin having kittens at 6 months!

During the “Kitten Season” the number of kittensfar exceeds the number of homes available!

In 7 years 1 female cat and her offspring cantheoretically produce 420,000 cats!!!

Litter mates can have litters; have them altered by5 months to prevent this!

There is only one solution: Spay or Neuter your cats!!

What isKitten Season?

WORD OF THE MONTH:ALOOF: alone, apart, bashful, cautious,

cool, coy, demure, distant, haughty, mod-est, proud, reserved, secretive, shy, silent,stately, standoffish, timid. Part of a cat’s

nature is to be aloof

Your hometown newspaperYour fast, effective advertising mediaYour promoter of events and servicesYour printer of tickets, brochures and flyersInternet service for our area

785-4214 Atlanta, MI 49709

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HAPPY TAILS

Sugar BearIn 2007 Pauline called to see if we would consider

another dog. We went and met Duddly. He was picked upfor roaming. He was a big, happy, brown lab that alreadyhad the glassy eyes of an old dog. He was very excitedabout a car ride. Right off we found out he was a dog withthe appetite to match his size, and the ability to reach anyfood on the counter. He also is crafty; he learned how topush open the lazy susan cupboard , so we latched it. Notthe answer. He just pushed the latch up! This is a politedog! He carried all the food out to our back yard before heate it. This was a bag and a half of chips, an unopened boxof crackers, a full loaf of bread, the sugar and flourcontainers and 3 pounds of potatoes. All were consumedexcept for the flour, and of course, in a few hours all givenup the hard way on the living room floor! I can’t tell youhow many loafs of zucchini bread he ate including frozenones. He got a new name to go with his new weight. Now“Sugar Bear” is lean and happy in his new home, whichhas a dead bolt on the lazy susan!

Bumble’s Happy TailAs you can see, Bumble has resigned himself to the existence

of cats even though I don’t think he still quite knows what theyare! They just love him because he is so soft and never missa chance to rub against him or walk under him or cuddle. Forthe longest time, he was not at all tolerant of them and wouldchase the lighter colored ones - not that he was ever a seriousthreat! But one evening over the weekend, I looked over andsaw Bums putting up with blatant affection from Timmy.Overall he’s doing quite well. He needs a haircut but I’m goingto learn to do it myself so we can take 2 or 3 or 4 days tocomplete the process if need be. It just takes so much out of himto get groomed so we’re just going to do it in increments tomake it a more pleasant experience for him. He’s just onRimadyl and a mild pain pill and is getting around pretty welleven with all this cussed snow. So I’m thankful that we’remanaging to stabilize his arthritis. He’s just such a funny,joyful dog. I think someone just couldn’t take care of himanymore and he was left because the person had to do it, notvoluntarily. At least that’s what I would like to believe. He wasloved a lot, maybe not given the best care, but I just can’timagine someone giving him up because they didn’t want him.Of course, maybe the person just got exhausted from getting upat 5:00 am everyday......

Anyway, thanks again for Bums! Susan Boyd

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ShelterBuildingNearsCompletion:

Hallway looking toward reception area

Cat isolation room

New water and food dishes

A new well is drilled

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At the beginning of the year, the YouthGroup received a motivational offer to raise$250 per month, to be matched by a gener-ous donor. In January we came through andraised $300. We held a bottle drive fromJanuary 25th through February 7th and had 3drop off locations: The Thunder Bay Deli,A-1 Woods & Waters, and Bud JonesInsurance. The drive brought in about $300and we’d like to thank the businesses thathelped us, along with all the people thatdonated their bottles and cans.

We also finally got our t-shirts with ournew logo drawn by Austin Corbin. The

Youth group raisingmoney; offering

scholarship Elk Country Animal Shelter

Youth Groupshirts are currently on sale for only $10per shirt.

We are also offering scholarships to onehigh school senior in each school of At-lanta, Lewiston and Hillman. Each schol-arship is $300 and we’re asking the appli-cants to answer a couple questions andparticipate in some shelter events or helpout at the shelter. We’re looking forwardto helping the students and working withthe applicants for years to come.

The Youth Group applied for a grantoffered by the Northeast Michigan YouthAdvisory Council. The money would go

toward ‘Fetching for a Fence’, a projectthat will expand the amount of room thatthe dogs will have to enjoy the outdoors.It will also allow us to work with the dogsto help them become more adoptable andhave obedience classes outside. We arestill anticipating the decision of the coun-cil; the fence will be a huge benefit to theshelter.

If you’re interested in getting involvedwith the Youth Group or would like tobuy a t-shirt, we will be at all shelterevents or you can contact Sarah Prince at586-623-0505.

One of the dog kennels Wet table

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2009 Raffle KickoffMarch is the month ECAS gets started on our Annual

ATV raffle. The raffle will get a kick off at the LewistonItalian Dinner/Chair-ity Auction on March 28, 2009 at theFifty Plus Club. There are 3 prizes again this year, thus 3chances to win! The first prize is of course the ATV, fromLewiston Motor Sports who help out every year with a greatdeal. Second prize is a Grill Zone grill donated by theLewiston True Value Hardware and third prize is $200 cashdonated by Bud Jones Insurance Agency. The ATV willalso be around the area at various parades, events andfestivals throughout the spring and summer months. Whenits not out visiting an event you will find it displayed atWags to Wiskers Pet Supply Store in Gaylord. Tickets areavailable from many members, at the shelter and at Wagsto Wiskers. The drawing is during Elk Festival in Atlanta onSeptember 26, 2009.

Volunteer SpotlightIn this newsletter we would like to honor Rochelle and Steven

Haeussler as our Volunteer heros. They own Wags to WiskersPet Supply in Gaylord. Rochelle sits on our board of directorsas Secretary and Steven is a committee member, but theirdedication to the shelter doesn’t stop there. They are always“thinking” shelter. They are very generous in donating, ratherthan returning to their supplier, the torn bags of food and itemsthat have been customer returned or damaged but still veryusable. They donate them to the shelter. They work hard atevents, tirelessly sell the ATV raffle tickets at their store formonths and months, along with shirts, hats and bags; promotemembership and direct people to us for spay and neuterassistance. Whenever an animal comes into the shelter thatneeds special items, whether it is puppy food for a puppy, a dogin desperate need of a bathing product, a crate, a collar, specialfood, flea treatment, or a big dose of love – Shelley is alwaysthere for them. We are very lucky to have these two caringpeople involved with our shelter.

Rochelle & Stephen Haeussler1415 West Main Street, Gaylord, MI 49735

Phone (989) 731-4200 • Fax (989) 731-4203

Pet Peanut Butter BallsIngredients:1 cup coarsely crushed rice cereal¼ cup smooth peanut butter1 Tablespoon of honey or molasses2 Tablespoons of wheat germ

Instructions: In a small bowl, combine cereal, peanut butter,and honey or molasses; stir until mixture forms a ball. Scoopout teaspoonfuls of mixture and roll into 1 inch balls. (Balls canbe rolled smaller or larger depending on the size of yourdog).Roll the balls in wheat germ to cover. Store in an airtightcontainer in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Yield: sixteen 1-inch balls

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Elk Country Animal ShelterCalendar of Events - 2009

Saturday, March 28, 4-7 p.m.: Shelter Dinner, 50+Club, Lewiston, Lasagna, salad, desserts. Kick off ourannual 4-Wheeler raffle.

Sat., May 9; Fri. and Sat., May 15-16; Fri., May 22:Drop off dates for Garage Sale items Montmorency Co.Fairgrounds, Atlanta

Fri.-Sun., May 22-24: Annual Garage Sale, Mont-morency Co. Fairgrounds, Atlanta

Saturday, May 23: Blessing of the Bikes in Hillman

Sat.-Sun, June 20-21: Booth and 4-Wheeler atLewiston Car Show

Saturday, June 20: Hillman Chamber Business Expo atthe Mill

Saturday, July 4: Parades in Lewiston and Atlanta

Fri.-Sun., July 3-5: Mill River Days in Hillman

Sunday, July 26: Golf Outing at Thunder Bay GolfResort

Saturday, Aug. 8: Float in VJ Day Parade, Hillman

Saturday, Aug. 2: Booth and 4-wheeler at LewistonCraft Show

Tues.-Sat., Aug. 11-15: Montmorency County 4-H Fair

Thurs.-Fri., Sept. 3-4: Drop off items for Labor DayGarage Sale

Sat.-Sun., Sept. 5-6: Labor Day Garage Sale, Mont-morency Co. Fairgrounds, Atlanta

Fri.-Sun., Sept. 25-27: Booth and parade at AtlantaElk Fest. Booth, parade. Drawing for 4-wheeler isSaturday at 7 pm.

Saturday, Oct. 3: Applefest in Hillman

October (no date yet): Christmas in October inLewiston

Saturday, Nov. 14: Hillman Bazaar

Sunday, Nov. 8: Fall/Turkey Dinner/Auction, HillmanCommunity Center

Saturday, Nov. 28: Atlanta Band Booster Bazaar

Saturday, Dec. 12: Pets with Santa picture event atWags to Wiskers in Gaylord (Date at the shelter yet tobe determined)

Memorial Day is early this year, so it’s time to startcollecting the items that you want to donate to theshelter’s annual garage sale. This year the sale will beheld Friday and Saturday, May 22-23 from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at thefairgrounds located on M-33 north of Atlanta.

You may donate good, clean usable items Thursday,Friday and Saturday, May14-16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.and Thursday, May 21 from9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If neces-sary, sale items may also bebrought to the fairgroundsthe first two days of the sale.

We ask that you not donateclothing or any large itemsthat are not in good enoughcondition to be saleable. Re-member, the shelter folksmust dispose of anythingthat doesn’t sell.

Anyone needing itemspicked up may call Tom orCarol at 785-3777, Sharonat 742-4371, Steve at 786-5585, or Pauline or Dave at785-2837. Your unwanted items will help provide fund-ing for the new animal shelter.

A number of workers are needed to make this salesuccessful. If you can volunteer a little of your time,please call Carol at 785-3777.

May Brings AnnualGarage SaleMay 22-24, 2009

Cats spend 18 hours out of every daysleeping.Pet Trivia:

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This Easter remember: A rabbit is not a toy.

If you’re not ready to give him ten years of your life, you’re not ready to give him as a pet.

www.makeminechocolate.org

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1-800-547-3245

Bud Jones Insurance Agency, Inc.P.O. Box 387

Lewiston, Michigan 49756

Phone (989) 786-2296 FAX (989) 786-2200

The 2008 Italian Dinner Chair-ity Auction was sowell received by the community that ECAS hasdecided to hold another this year. Local artists arebusy decorating their chairs; finished chairs may beviewed at local businesses around the area. Themenu will be the same great meal; salad, garlic breadand that oh so good lasagna. Oh, dont forget jellosalads and the homemade desserts the local bakersprovide, mmm mmm good! So mark your calendarfor March 28th and join us in Lewiston at the FiftyPlus Club. Dinner is served from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.ECAS will also be kicking off the 2009 ATV raffle,pickup your winning ticket that day! See you there!

Chair-ity Auction

Pictured are a couple of the unique chairs from last year;this year will bring another fine selection.

It is common belief that cats are colorblind… Recent research has shown that catscan see blue, green and possibly redPet Trivia:

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SJK Johnson & Schulze PCCertified Public Accountants

Shanna Johnson & Kristy Schulze

1223 S. State Street; Ste AP.O. Box 901

Alpena, MI 49707

(989) 354-8707Fax (989) 354-8708

Custom Homes & Light CommercialRemodeling & Quality Modular Homes

Rick & Nichole KleinRick & Nichole KleinRick & Nichole KleinRick & Nichole KleinRick & Nichole Klein

Serving Atlanta, Lewiston, & Surrounding Areas

Klein Builders, Inc.

989-785-2484Atlanta, MI 49709

Wagg'n TailsDog Training

Family Dog TrainingBehavior Consultation and Modification

Chris Moe-Herlick, Dog Trainer Phone 989 785-6609981 Big Pine St. Cell 989-916-6495Atlanta, MI 49709 Email: Teleski@i2k.com Fax: 989 785-6509

I am interested in the efforts of the Elk Country Animal Shelter and wish to contribute in the following ways.

Name______________________________________________New Member Address_______________________________________________Renewal

City/State/Zip_________________________________________Contribution Only Phone______________________ email __________________________________ Can you donate your time? _______Will you work on a committee?_______ MEMBERSHIPS DONATIONS ____ Individual $10.00 ____ General Use ____ Business $50.00 ____ Building Fund ____ Family $25.00 ____ Medical for Animals ____ Junior or Senior $8.00 ____ Spay and Neuter program ____ Pet $5.00

PLEASE INCLUDE MEMBERSHIP FEE AND/OR DONATION AND MAIL TO:

Elk Country Animal Shelter P.O. Box 434

Atlanta, MI 49079

MISSION STATEMENT The Elk Country Animal Shelter shall be committed to providing a caring shelter and eventual placement of adoptable animals; be advocates for companion animals; provide educations on the proper care of animals and promote un-

derstanding of the need to control the population of unwanted animals.

2008

Business Memberships include free business card size ad in each newsletter issue

NL 2009

_____ Help pay off mortgage

Help is just a phone call away!

Pet Education CenterIs your dog digging through your flower beds or

Kitty is not using the litter box? Well these people canhelp you with any pet behavior (dog, cat or other). Youjust call this number 248-650-0127, leave a messageregarding the specific behavior question and they willhave a trained behavior representative return your call.They also answer questions via email. Simply log on towww.michiganhumane.org and click on behaviorand training. There is no charge for this service.

Michigan Humane SocietyBEHAVIOR HELP LINE

248-650-0127Leave a message and they

will return your call

Is Your DogDigging? YourCat Not Usingthe Litter Box?

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Elk Country Animal Shelter P.O. Box 434 Atlanta, MI 49709

NONPROFIT US Postage Paid

Elk Country Animal Shelter

Permit 891353

ReadBumble’s

StoryInside!

Elk Country Animal ShelterP.O. Box 434Atlanta, MI 49709-0434

Address Service Requested

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NONPROFITUS Postage Paid

Elk Country Animal ShelterPermit Number 7

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