March Madness: Indiana-PAW's Sweet 16

March 4, 2008

Indiana-PAW

Indiana-PAW Friends,

March is upon us, and with that comes basketball, warmer weather, flowers, and lots of opportunities to celebrate animals . . . and - most importantly - to help Indiana's forgotten animals. Read Indiana-PAW's "Sweet 16" stories below that we hope will inspire and motivate you!

Joyous End To Indiana-PAW/Rushville Animal Shelter Project

Earl, saved by the Indiana- PAW/Rushville Animal Shelter Project and recently enjoyed a vacation on Lake Michigan with his new dad.

In July, Indiana-PAW and the Rushville Animal Shelter selected 17 animals to be pulled from the Rushville shelter, which, at that time, had a 93% euthanasia rate. It gives us great joy to report that these tenacious animals were vaccinated, altered, socialized by Indiana-PAW foster parents, and adopted into wonderful homes. Click here to read additional interviews with families who fostered and adopted these special animals. And stay tuned for updates on future collaborations between Indiana-PAW and the Rushville Animal Shelter!

Need An Educational Program? Contact Indiana-PAW!

Carolyn Valachovic-Monroe, Indiana-PAW's Education Coordinator, gives a presentation at the Morgan County Humane Society in February 2008.

Do you need a speaker for your school, club or next business lunch? At no cost, we'll put on an informative presentation tailored to your audience about what they can do to be responsible pet owners and help homeless animal. Carolyn Valachovic-Monroe, Indiana-PAW's Education Coordinator, has spent the past year traveling the State to schools, libraries, shelters, social services agencies, and even local TV stations to offer educational programs involving animals. Carolyn was recently interviewed at length for an article in the Evansville Parent. Click here to have Carolyn or another member of Indiana-PAW come visit you.

Video Project: Heroes In The Heartland

Indiana-PAW visits Vanderburgh County Humane Society. From left to right: IPAW Southern Indiana Rep. Jenn Williamson, IPAW Founder & Director, Amy Van Ostrand, and VHS PR Director, Miranda Russell.

Indiana-PAW is winding down video shoots for our "Heroes In The Heartland" video project, which will culminate in the release of a video to schools, libraries, media, veterinarians, and animal agencies across the State. The video will be designed to galvanize everyday Hoosiers to support animal rescue efforts in their communities. We've already videotaped more than 60 animal shelters and rescue groups, along with dozens of citizens, for the video. Click here if you're a shelter or rescue group, and wish to participate.

Indiana-PAW & The Humane Society of the United States

In February, Hoosiers turned out in droves to the State Capitol for 2008 Humane Lobby Day to ask their legislators to support bills dealing with dog fighting, and other important policy reforms. Recently, Indiana-PAW sat down with Anne Sterling, the Indiana State Director for The Humane Society of the United States, to find out what we can do to empower our readers to continue the momentum of Humane Lobby Day and be citizen lobbyists for animals. As a result of that meeting, we encourage all of our readers to review this document on how you can be an effective animal advocate, to visit HSUS's website to learn who your legislators are, and to stay tuned for information about upcoming legislation needing your voice.

Wanted: Friendly Faces To Help Staff Indiana-PAW Booth This Spring

Indiana-PAW volunteers and staff at an adoption event at Pet Supplies "PLUS" in September 2007.

Indiana-PAW stayed busy last Fall and Winter at community outreach events across the State, from Petfest to the Monroe County Humane Association's Walk For The Animals in Bloomington, to a rock concert in Crown Point, to the Christmas Gift and Hobby Show, to our offsite adoptions at Pet Supplies PLUS. Now we need volunteers to help us this April with our education booths at Earth Day, Petfest and Mutt Strutt. Please click here if you'd like to volunteer at our booths this April!

Wanted: Animal Transporters

We're looking for "chauffeurs" for our Indiana-PAW transport program, which provides life-saving assistance to animals in overcrowded shelters, transporting them to shelters with space or to rescue groups or foster homes. Bev Marker, one of our transport volunteers, talks about how gratifying she finds the program, and says she recently had an interesting and comical transport experience. Click here to read her story. Click here to learn how you can volunteer as a driver to transport animals.

Donate To Help Us Help Citizens With Injured, Sick Pets

Indiana-PAW paid for Jack E. to have her leg amputated after she was shot by a citizen and her family could not afford lifesaving vet care.

Indiana-PAW receives regular requests from citizens who need financial assistance caring for their sick or injured pets. Whenever we have the funding to do so, we assist these citizens in finding vets who will offer reasonably priced services, and by paying a portion of the bill. For example, this summer, Indiana-PAW paid for emergency vet care for a Jack Russell Terrier named "Jack E.", who had been shot and would have likely died had her leg not been amputated. We were glad to be able to help "Jack E." as well as her very appreciative family. If you'd like to donate to help us help others, click here.

Puppy Mill Survivors Need Your Help

Above are before and after pictures of Aurora, one of the dogs that IPPRA saved from a puppy mill.

Several weeks ago, one of Indiana-PAW's partners, Indiana Petite Paws Rescue Angels, Inc. orchestrated the intake of 70 dogs from a southern Indiana puppy mill turn over. Twenty-one of the dogs are in the care of Petite Paws and need, cumulatively, approximately $8,000.00 worth of veterinary care. Indiana-PAW is making a plea to you to send donations to Petite Paws - a reputable rescue agency - to help care for these puppy mill survivors. We at Indiana-PAW have sent them a small amount of financial assistance, but it is a mere drop in the bucket. Donations may be sent to: IPPRA, PO Box 74, Boone Grove, IN 46302-0074. You may also donate via their website.

Talented Folks Sought By Morgan County Humane Society

One of Indiana-PAW's partners, the Morgan County Humane Society, has asked us to put out a plea for volunteers for their shelter, located in Martinsville. They need a photographer to photograph animals for Petfinder, an IT coordinator, a fundraising volunteer, a volunteer coordinator, socializers for dogs and cats, and several new Board Members. If you're interested, e-mail Diane Hess at the shelter.

Join A Fundraising Team For Mutt Strutt

On April 27, the Humane Society of Indianapolis will hold their annual Mutt Strutt event, where citizens can walk their dogs around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to benefit the Humane Society. We will have an Indiana-PAW booth there, and one of our corporate partners, Wipe Your Pawz! is setting up a team of walkers. If you join "Team Wipe Your Pawz," you can not only raise money for the Humane Society, but you can also earn a package of perks that includes a drawing for free dog washes or a professional photo package at Wipe Your Pawz! Click here to learn more!

Riley's Ark Cat Rescue Seeks Veterinarian

Riley's Ark Cat Rescue, located in Crawford County, is looking for a licensed veterinarian who is willing to set up practice in the area and help with a Feline Fix program similar to the ones in Harrison and Floyd Counties. Rent would be free in Riley's Ark's building, and the vet would be asked to split utility costs and supply his or her own equipment. New graduates and semi-retired vets are welcome to apply. Details supplied during interview. Please forward CV to Riley's Ark, attn: Sharon Richie, PO Box 337, Marengo, IN 47140.

Heartwarming Video From National Brittany Rescue & Adoption Network

Click here to watch a video that the National Brittany Rescue & Adoption Network shared with Indiana-PAW. It shows the amazing, heatwarming story of a puppy named Lance who was left at a Kentucky Animal Shelter, and due to overcrowding, attacked during the night. He was found frozen to the ground in his own blood in 8 degree temps. He was then rescued by NBRAN, fostered, and transported to a forever home. Indiana-PAW salutes the volunteers of NBRAN for their lifesaving work for Lance!

Kudos: Humane Society For Hamilton County Earns $15,000 Award For Creativity

Indiana-PAW salutes one of our favorite animal rescue partners, the Humane Society for Hamilton County. Recently, HSHC earned a $15,000.00 award from Maddie's Fund for HSHC's creative approach to finding homes for hard-to-place animals. HSHC was saluted for its many programs that support animals in need of emergency care, and older animals. In a related note, HSHC recently held a Tinsel & Tails Holiday Petacular that netted $15,000.00 for the animals they serve, and included a presentation by their Director featuring a live appearance of the eight abused pit bulls that were found dumped in Hamilton County at the beginning of the year (who are now healthy and happy), as well as the story of the ninth pit bull, Triumph, who did not survive.

Pawsitive Plug For Indy Homes For Huskies

This weekend, Indiana-PAW's Executive Director had the pleasure of videotaping Indy Homes For Huskies at their offsite Petco adoption event for Indiana-PAW's "Heroes In The Heartland" video project. During the shoot, they not only educated us about the terrific work they are doing for homeless animals in Indiana and other nearby states, but also showed us their terrific plug in the current issue of Indianapolis Woman Magazine.

Congrats to IndyFeral For Earning A National Award

IndyFeral, a local group that works with stray and feral cats and seeks to reduce overpopulation through the non-lethal method of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), was recently acknowledged for their 2007 Feral Calendar. They were awarded the Muse Medallion, which recognized the "broad scope of information" presented in the calendar during the annual Cat Writer's Association conference. If you'd like to support their work, IndyFeral's 2008 Calendar is still available for purchase on their website. Congratulations to IndyFeral!

Indiana Business Owners With Heart

Indiana-PAW thanks some of the key generous businesses who support our efforts, and help us help homeless animals. Special thanks to (1) Nick Milano, owner of Indy-area Pet Supplies "PLUS" for sponsoring all of our health and safety educational resources; (2) Lori Jacobs of Petlane for sponsoring our "Super Database" - the most comprehensive Indiana listing of animal shelters and breed specific rescue groups; (3) Robin Herman of Lucky Dog Retreat, who sponsors our popular "Pet of the Month" adoption program at our website; and (4) Shawn Barney of Wipe Your Pawz! for providing complimentary professional photography services.

Thank you to our readers for all you do for animals,

Indiana Proactive Animal Welfare, Inc.

Amy Van Ostrand, Esq.

Founder & Executive Director

E-mail: amy@indiana-paw.com

Phone: 317-345-6773

Website: http://www.indiana-paw.com