HARMONY  HAVEN  UPDATE OCTOBER - DECEMBER, 2006

Jake, a large mixed breed dog, had been with us for three years--waiting for just the right family.  And found it he did!  Jake is especially fond of a younger member of his new family. Although he has his own bed in her room, he very much prefers to share the waterbed-as shown in the picture.  Jake joins in all the family activities: hiking, boating, etc.  In fact, he was immediately fitted for his own life jacket.

Unfortunately our sign was torn down.  Thanks to the generous donation of Jim Trimble of Trimble Sign Company, we will have a new sign installed.  Jim and his daughter, Lauren, share their home with two fabulous felines: Rascal and Kiki.

Recently we arrived at Harmony Haven to find one of our large windows broken.  We extend a big "Thank You" to Norm's Glass and Mirror Company who generously donated all the labor to replace it.  A second fine example of local businesses giving back to the community!

The PETCO FOUNDATION has named Harmony Haven as a partner in the annual "Tree of Hope" Fund Raiser to support community animal welfare organizations.  Please stop by their beautiful store this holiday season.  We have a display with pictures, brochures and business cards.  We deeply appreciate PETCO's continuing support!

We have nearly 100 animal residents.  So we are particularly grateful for the pet food donations from individuals and from businesses.  Baesler's Market and the Wal-Mart stores have been very generous.

We continue our partnership with the Purina Very Best Pet Network through the Marshall and Terre Haute Wal-Marts.  Visit the newly designed boards located in the Pet Department that display photos of our adoptable pets.  

In the fall we had a four-day yard sale to raise funds for the animals.  A special thanks to all those who donated items and helped with the set-up and the sales.

We have recently had a new volunteer join us who assists with grant applications.  Katie has had previous success and we are most fortunate that she is willing to help us.  Grants are such a vital necessity for all non-profit organizations.  Because of them our major projects become a reality.

Another new volunteer is assisting us with adoption coordination.  Debbie has arranged several adoptions (including Jake, our featured success story) and also arranged for some of our dogs to be transported to various rescue organizations.    Incidentally, two of our adopted dogs are living in Ohio, and one in Minnesota.

We have installed more dog doors in the kennels and purchased more Kuranda dog beds.  Additional kennel panels were installed to enlarge the runs on the west side.  A perimeter fence now creates a new west exercise yard.  The dogs love it and can't wait until it is their "turn" to run!  Now both the east and west sides have their own exercise yard.  All exterior lights have been checked, repaired, and are functional.

Improvements were made inside the main shelter.  Thanks to Rick Mundell,  new inside windows were installed for light and ventilation  and more electrical wiring to provide better heat to the animal rooms.   More cat beds were purchased. 

In the past month there have been newspaper articles and letters to the editor addressing the ever-increasing problem.  We feel the basic long-term solution is a strong spay-neuter program with accompanying enforcement. 

The Pets ALIVE transport program coordinated by the Spay/Neuter League is excellent, but many low-income families have problems with the $45 - $50 cost, a suitable pet carrier, and transporting to and from the pick-up site.  And what about the family who can afford to spay one of their cats, but not their other two, and especially not the three that show up on their doorstep? 

Some subsidizing of a spay and neuter program, as suggested by Mayor Burke in the October 27 issue of the Tribune-Star, seems a reasonable and critical next step.  This is not impossible.  There are cities that have addressed the problem, solved it, and now actually have a shortage of dogs. 

We are so grateful to the people who support us through volunteering, gifts, donations, and memorials.  However, because many people are sensitive about having their names on the internet, we have chosen to include names only in the mailed copies of our newsletters.

The kindness and generosity of all who give to Harmony Haven makes lives better for the animals in our care.

Since we do not receive any tax dollars from the city or the county, donations (tax-deductible) are always most welcome! 

We continue to collect aluminum cans, ink cartridges (except Epson) and cell phones to recycle for fund raising.
Our wish list also includes dog and cat food, scoopable litter, paper towels, Pine-Sol, bleach, laundry detergent,  Febreze, peroxide, alcohol, mineral oil, baking soda, litter deodorant, and empty blue plastic Lay's potato chip cans.

We are selling coupons through the generosity of Baesler's Market.  A $10 coupon will purchase $10 worth of groceries or gas.  (So your cost is zero.)  The coupons come in $10 and $25 denominations.  Call us - 535-3819.

VOLUNTEERS are a big item on our wish list.  Due to the recent loss of a staff person, we are in particular need during this period.  CAN YOU HELP??  Any amount of time will be greatly appreciated, especially on weekdays!  Call 535-3819. 

We have had more animals "dumped" on us recently - possibly due to the city's stray animal problem.  All animals have a health check by a vet, are dewormed, treated for fleas, and spayed or neutered.  Cats are tested for feline leukemia and dogs are tested for heartworm.  All support is greatly appreciated.  You are very special to our mission.

Membership includes Harmony Haven newsletter.  Please feel free to copy the membership application.  Please return with payment to:  Harmony Haven, P O Box 3305, Terre Haute, IN  47803-0305

Click Here for the Membership Application Form.

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