Just last month, we launched our “Raise the Woof Campaign” to rebuild and expand our shelter. The goal is to raise the estimated $140,000 needed for Phase 1 and begin raising funds immediately for the estimated $80,000 needed for Phase 2. So far $65,000 has been raised through generous donations. We sent out a plea for donations by mailing a tri-fold letter and sent e-mails to our data base of past donors. The response has been tremendous. We had a donor that took it upon herself to network and raised $3,500. We continue to have donors that bring dog food and supplies to the shelter. There are so many generous people in our communities. The shelter relies on donations to operate and your gifts are much appreciated.

There are plans to have a fund raiser every month. Next month, the Raising the Woof Dinner and Auction will be held on March 19th in Kaufman. There is a Texas Hold Em Tournament in the planning and we will announce the date and location later. We also have a dinner party being planned in the lake area. The Lakeway Bowling Complex is working with us to have a fund raiser in the near future. Contact the shelter manager if you have any other fund raiser ideas, or would like to help with those we plan in the future.

The shelter is busy caring for the animals and is working hard to get dogs and cats new homes. On weekends the shelter is taking available pets to Pet Smart (on Garland Ave in Garland and on Broadway in Tyler) and The Unleashed Dog Park (at I 30 and Jim Miller in Dallas the 2nd weekend of every month) for adoption events. The response has been great. Twenty three dogs have already been adopted this month. Many of the shelter dogs are placed with qualified rescue groups which find them homes. Animal control brings the shelter a never ending supply of pets, especially mama dogs with puppies.

In August the shelter received a spay/neuter grant which will enable the shelter to alter about 300 animals. So much still needs to be done to educate pet owners on the reality of pet overpopulation and their responsibilities as a pet owner.

We have seen an increase in owner surrendered pets. We are attributing the current economy as a reason for this. The puppy mill closure we initiated in August has seen all the dogs placed with various rescue organizations and most have found homes. So many people helped with that crisis and cannot be thanked enough. . The shelter needs volunteers for adoption events, fund raiser events, and foster care homes.

We have a busy year ahead and will continue to do our best to care for the animals. Contact the shelter if you have any questions and/or need further information, please feel free to call Krista at 903 432-4322.