Off leash: Doubled donations help double the fun
Those who spent last weekend’s Halloween festivities decked out in funny garb probably would have felt right at home at Zoe & Guido’s Pet Boutique. Crazy was the order of the day, from owner Pam Hagan’s green skin and black hat, to a unique “pet psychic” with her own big hat and helpful suggestions. There were plenty of costume-clad canines and owners, although Cindy Roper’s homage to recycling won top honors from the judges.
And if you’re into canine freestyle, the Santa Fe Dog Dancing Club was there strutting its stuff. The club, of which Zach and I are members, tried out a flashy performance of “Night Fever,” complete with shiny vests and ’70s disco moves. If you want to keep that good opinion you have of me, please avoid any YouTube postings of the number.
While the event may have been a bash, it was also a fundraiser for the Santa Fe Shelter & Humane Society’s Rico’s Fund for Little Brown Dogs. That’s the fund established after Claudia and Stephen Inoue’s dog, Rico, died suddenly Aug. 29. An off-shoot of the shelter’s Big Brown Dog Bonanza program, both funds help provide money for people to get their pets altered, something that’s dear to Claudia Inoue’s heart.
People were generous during the event, raising $634. The surprise twist to the party, however, was Stephen Inoue, who matched the donations, bringing the funds raised to $1,268. Not bad for a couple hours of doggie dancing, to be sure.
Claudia says people are still dropping off donations to the fund at the couple’s business, Toy Auto Man, and she recently received a check for $200. Claudia, as many people know, is dedicated to reducing unwanted companion animals through spaying and neutering, donating money from the sale of used books and peace cranes that she hand-crafts to the cause.
While the Inoues love the fact that Rico will be forever remembered through the fund, Claudia recently wrote that she doesn’t care what size or color of the animal. She wants them all altered.
“If the money is needed for purple big dogs or pink cats, I don’t care,” she e-mailed. “Please use it to spay and neuter, regardless of color, size or species.”
Claudia continues that before the couple found Rico on the streets of Puerto Rico, she was known as the cat woman, at one time caring for 14 cats. “Please know that I love cats as much as dogs and any of the money raised by me is for anything that is in need of spaying/neutering.”
Spread the word about low-cost spaying and neutering. And tell those with unaltered animals to make an appointment at the shelter’s clinic, 474-6422. Tell them Rico sent you.
• • •
And speaking of cats, last week I wrote about the shelter’s new program, Moving Forward For Felines. While low-cost altering is at the heart of the program (you can’t beat a $10 co-pay for having your feline fixed), it’s also about changing perspective on felines.
Here’s to that. I once worked with someone who said that if you wanted a cat as a pet, you’d be better adopting a squirrel. At least they’d come when you called.
Felines & Friends also works hard to make lives better for cats. Several weeks ago, I noted the nonprofit was struggling to make ends meet and mounted a fundraising campaign.
Bobbi Heller, the group’s executive director, said the pleas have generated just over $10,000. The group is hoping to raise $15,000 by the end of the year, which will take them into 2010 and the possibility of receiving fresh grant money.
Unfortunately, not only has the sour economy dried up some donations, the group is also losing more and more foster families. The group, which has no permanent shelter facility and relies entirely on foster volunteers, says good cat people are being forced to move away because of the economy.
Pretty soon, 10 cats will be homeless once again, and Heller’s hoping more people will step forward to help out. In addition to more foster families, the group’s looking for volunteers to help staff adoption events, several of which are planned for the holidays.
To help out, call the group at 316-2281, or e-mail askfelinesandfriends@yahoo.com.
• • •
I’m not sure if I want to get into the Great Spam Debate — several people have recently complained that the Española Valley Humane Society made light of the welfare of animals by having a contest that involved that pork product — but I do know the shelter works hard to save countless companion animals and find them good homes.
If you’re like me, you probably cried during Babe, too, and have made a personal commitment to work toward the humane treatment of all animals. As a longtime vegetarian, there are many things that get my goat, but carving Spam isn’t one of them. Perhaps I’m not that evolved. But if you do want to get upset, there are plenty of issues to tackle. Animal advocate Susan Stephens wrote that she recently stopped by one of her favorite discount stores to discover that some products contained “fur” products from China. The fur, Stephens said, comes from puppies, cats and rabbits, many of which are skinned alive.
She’s started a petition drive to stop the practice. You can join her, or can tell the retailers directly that you’d rather have dog fur on pets instead of on coats.
And if you’re into canine freestyle, the Santa Fe Dog Dancing Club was there strutting its stuff. The club, of which Zach and I are members, tried out a flashy performance of “Night Fever,” complete with shiny vests and ’70s disco moves. If you want to keep that good opinion you have of me, please avoid any YouTube postings of the number.
While the event may have been a bash, it was also a fundraiser for the Santa Fe Shelter & Humane Society’s Rico’s Fund for Little Brown Dogs. That’s the fund established after Claudia and Stephen Inoue’s dog, Rico, died suddenly Aug. 29. An off-shoot of the shelter’s Big Brown Dog Bonanza program, both funds help provide money for people to get their pets altered, something that’s dear to Claudia Inoue’s heart.
People were generous during the event, raising $634. The surprise twist to the party, however, was Stephen Inoue, who matched the donations, bringing the funds raised to $1,268. Not bad for a couple hours of doggie dancing, to be sure.
Claudia says people are still dropping off donations to the fund at the couple’s business, Toy Auto Man, and she recently received a check for $200. Claudia, as many people know, is dedicated to reducing unwanted companion animals through spaying and neutering, donating money from the sale of used books and peace cranes that she hand-crafts to the cause.
While the Inoues love the fact that Rico will be forever remembered through the fund, Claudia recently wrote that she doesn’t care what size or color of the animal. She wants them all altered.
“If the money is needed for purple big dogs or pink cats, I don’t care,” she e-mailed. “Please use it to spay and neuter, regardless of color, size or species.”
Claudia continues that before the couple found Rico on the streets of Puerto Rico, she was known as the cat woman, at one time caring for 14 cats. “Please know that I love cats as much as dogs and any of the money raised by me is for anything that is in need of spaying/neutering.”
Spread the word about low-cost spaying and neutering. And tell those with unaltered animals to make an appointment at the shelter’s clinic, 474-6422. Tell them Rico sent you.
• • •
And speaking of cats, last week I wrote about the shelter’s new program, Moving Forward For Felines. While low-cost altering is at the heart of the program (you can’t beat a $10 co-pay for having your feline fixed), it’s also about changing perspective on felines.
Here’s to that. I once worked with someone who said that if you wanted a cat as a pet, you’d be better adopting a squirrel. At least they’d come when you called.
Felines & Friends also works hard to make lives better for cats. Several weeks ago, I noted the nonprofit was struggling to make ends meet and mounted a fundraising campaign.
Bobbi Heller, the group’s executive director, said the pleas have generated just over $10,000. The group is hoping to raise $15,000 by the end of the year, which will take them into 2010 and the possibility of receiving fresh grant money.
Unfortunately, not only has the sour economy dried up some donations, the group is also losing more and more foster families. The group, which has no permanent shelter facility and relies entirely on foster volunteers, says good cat people are being forced to move away because of the economy.
Pretty soon, 10 cats will be homeless once again, and Heller’s hoping more people will step forward to help out. In addition to more foster families, the group’s looking for volunteers to help staff adoption events, several of which are planned for the holidays.
To help out, call the group at 316-2281, or e-mail askfelinesandfriends@yahoo.com.
• • •
I’m not sure if I want to get into the Great Spam Debate — several people have recently complained that the Española Valley Humane Society made light of the welfare of animals by having a contest that involved that pork product — but I do know the shelter works hard to save countless companion animals and find them good homes.
If you’re like me, you probably cried during Babe, too, and have made a personal commitment to work toward the humane treatment of all animals. As a longtime vegetarian, there are many things that get my goat, but carving Spam isn’t one of them. Perhaps I’m not that evolved. But if you do want to get upset, there are plenty of issues to tackle. Animal advocate Susan Stephens wrote that she recently stopped by one of her favorite discount stores to discover that some products contained “fur” products from China. The fur, Stephens said, comes from puppies, cats and rabbits, many of which are skinned alive.
She’s started a petition drive to stop the practice. You can join her, or can tell the retailers directly that you’d rather have dog fur on pets instead of on coats.
Comment
-
Comment by Ben Swan on November 9, 2009 at 1:12am - Thanks for adding more to the discussion about fur, Julie. It is so out of my radar that I haven't thought about it in a long time. Thanks to Susan for bringing it back to our attention.
-
Comment by Claudia Inoue on November 8, 2009 at 8:11pm -
Thanks for all the insight in stuff with fur, Julie! It's great advise...something to definitely be aware of when shopping.
As far as the cranes....sorry, no pine scent but I made a few Christmas theme ones today...I am also making breast cancer ones with little pink bows at the bottom...a month late and by request of AJ at the shelter.
-
Comment by Julie L on November 8, 2009 at 7:47pm -
Great Scoop today, Ben! That little Rico just keeps on giving back to Santa Fe. The Inoues are the most generous, caring, and innovative animal loving couple I've met in Santa Fe. They set such a great example of ways businesses can help. Claudia's peace cranes are beautiful, and might I add a fantastic Christmas tree ornament or stocking stuffer or rear view mirror doo-dad (hey- Claudia - are they pine scented?! :-) ).
And this is a great time to bring up the fur issue as people are shopping for warm clothing, and thanks to Susan for bringing this issue up. Personally I'd rather not shop at stores that sell real fur. "Faux" fur even has issues.
The Humane Society tested "faux" fur and found dog fur in 24 out of 25 pieces tested (from Dillards, JCPenney, etc). I avoid it all together. Why promote the fashion at all?
http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/ny_fur_labeling_investigation_021609.html
"The HSUS tested a group of 25 jackets, of which they found 24 mislabeled or not labeled at all and, when tested, results proved the fur was not "faux" at all, but was actually real fur. The fur comes from a type of fox-like canine native to Asia and northern European forests known as a raccoon dog. It tends to look extraordinarily like a raccoon, which was the inspiration for its name."
-
Comment by caril on November 8, 2009 at 12:13pm -
Ben... great work on publicizing Felines & Friends' plight... and what great results! Bless that organization... they do such good work.
I will try to carve out some time to help at adoption events... I am a huge cat lover, altho unfortunately, my Aussie and pit mix are NOT. Staffing an event is one way I can help out...
-
Comment by Claudia Inoue on November 8, 2009 at 8:49am
- Thanks for the great article on the fundraiser, Ben...and thank you for mentioning that I love cats as well!!! :)
About
RSS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
© 2009 Created by Ben Swan
You need to be a member of Santa Fe Scoop to add comments!
Join this Ning Network