Staff Spotlight:
Charles Vreeland
HSGKC President

Charles at Art Unleashed 2007

Like many other staff members, Charles Vreeland grew up in a small town surrounded by animals: chickens, cats, ducks, and even prairie dogs.

Before coming to the Humane Society, Charles worked as a social worker helping at-risk kids. He saw a connection with child abuse and animal cruelty, and he applied for his current job. “Whether it is helping humans or animals, service is my calling,” he says. In addition to helping animals, he enjoys the wonderful group of people he works with and how he is able to educate others.

As president of the Humane Society, Charles handles most of the business aspects: human resources, accounts payable, retirement, and an occasional presentation.

After work, Charles goes home to his family, his wife of 19 years Nancy, their two children, Emily and Brandon. He is a proud papa because both of his kids are honor students, and Emily wants to be a veterinarian some day. Also living in the Vreeland home are two miniature dachshunds, one basset hound and one turtle.

“I’ve never worked in a place where volunteers have played such a vital role in a non-profit organization” Charles said about the HSGKC volunteers. “We can’t do what we do without them. It’s been wonderful to meet them.”

It’s time to dig through all of those cute pictures of your pets for the 6th Annual Say Cheese Pet Photo Contest. (And we know you have a lot of great pictures!)

This year’s categories are: Pampered Pooches, Kitty Capers, Friends for Life (multiple pets and/or with people) and Wild Kingdom (pets of all kind). There is a $5 entry fee per photo. Enter as many photos as you’d like (the more the better). Entry deadline is September 15, 2008 and can be done online or through the mail. Photos become the property of The Humane Society and cannot be returned. All photos must be labeled with the following: Category, Contestant’s Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, and Photographer’s Name. For complete rules go to the our website's Say Cheese page.

The winning photos will be featured during NBC Action News Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak’s weather forecast, along with a bag of pet and people goodies!

Eric & Caitlin, with shelter dogs "Bridget" & "Morris", presenting their wedding donations

Newlyweds Eric Oligschlaeger and Caitlin Summerlin asked for something a little different from their wedding guests. Instead of registering at department stores for traditional wedding gifts, they asked their guests to make donations to one of three charities. The Humane Society was one of those three charities and received a $4,625 donation. Thank you for sharing the love!

Yes, we still need your newspapers! Please collect them from your neighbors, friends and co-workers and bring them into the shelter the next time you visit the animals.

For a list of other items and services we need, check out our Sit Up and Beg Wish List.

Our volunteer coordinator, Jo, is still looking for outgoing people to volunteer as food servers and art table monitors for Art Unleashed. If you think you fit the bill let her know at 913-596-1000 x 22. The volunteer shift is from 5:15-9:15 PM on Friday, August 22, 2008.

This is also the last call for artwork donations. If you have an original animal themed piece of artwork that you want to donate for the animals, please contact Janet Hines immediately.

If you would prefer to attend Art Unleashed as a guest, tickets are on sale online at www.artunleashedkc.org for $25 or they can be purchased at the event for $35. You can also view images of some of this year's artwork on the web site.

We have started collecting live and silent auction items for Big Martini 8 on October 8 at McCormick & Schmick’s on the Country Club Plaza. We are looking for a variety of auction items that range in value of $50 - $2,000. Things like gift certificates, gift baskets, event tickets and memorabilia make great auction items. If you donate items totaling $200 or more in value, you will receive two complimentary tickets to the event. Contact Robin if you have items to donate.

Bridget is just one of many pets who have benefited from Gabriel's Fund, and she's looking for a home!

Gabriel Fund

Many of you have met a Gabriel Fund pet while volunteering. Bridget, Morris, Phoebe, Posey, Tiki, Jackson, Kylie, Kailey, Ruby, Gizmo and Berta are just a few shelter pets that are Gabriel Fund recipients. The Gabriel Fund is a special fund that covers the medical costs for homeless animals that come to the shelter sick and injured.

Last year The Gabriel Fund saved 43 animals. This year 47 animals have already been helped through the Gabriel Fund. If you would like to donate go to the Gabriel Fund page of our web site.

Do you want to help Kansas City’s homeless pets find a new family? Email Jana if you are able to help with our September satellites:

PETCO
Saturday, September 6
95th & Quivira in Overland Park
(north of Oak Park Mall and next to Toys-R-Us)
11am to 3pm
We'll bring several dogs and a few cats.

PLAZA ART FAIR
Friday thru Sunday, Sept. 19-21
The Country Club Plaza
Our booth will be located at Central St. & Ward Parkway (just north of Brush Creek)
Volunteer Shifts:
Friday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Saturday 1st shift: 9:30am to 2:30pm
Saturday 2nd shift: 2:30pm to 7:30 pm
Sunday from 11:45am to 5pm

Our biggest satellite event! We'll have an adoption booth again this year at the Plaza Art Fair and we'll be bringing several dogs.

"Shirley", with Marcy Main, on vacation in Colorado!

Shirley, Grisley, Juno, Pebbles & Emmy and many more! Visit the Happy Tails page of our web site to see fun new photos of dogs and cats who were adopted from our shelter.

Booker, Boston, Franco, Morris, Phoebe and Violet....
and several more who were adopted before we had time to photograph them!