Volunteer
Spotlight:
Amanda Harris
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Amanda with Juno at the 2008 Pet Telethon
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“I
know plenty of people whose internships
were really boring; that wasn't the case for me,” said Amanda
Harris,
former Humane Society intern and current volunteer. Amanda started
with the shelter two years ago when she was searching for a meaningful,
animal-welfare related internship. Turns out that after some
careful research, “The HSGKC was at the top of the list.”
A native of the Kansas City area, Amanda is a graduate of both Maple
Woods Community College, where she earned her Associate in Arts degree, and Park
University where
she received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing. An
internship with the shelter tied in nicely with Amanda’s educational interests,
but it was her interest in animal welfare that really proved most important.
Having always been an animal lover growing up, Amanda has lots of pets of her
own at home. As far as dogs go, there’s Nanook and Suka- both of whom came
from city run shelters- and Piper, who came from a reputable breeder. Amanda’s
cats, Kazi, Salem and O’Malley have a more interesting story. Amanda said
that about 8 years ago she was walking home and saw some kittens under a car. “They
were all so little and skinny that I called my Mom and brought them home,” she
said, “the plan was to find them all good homes when they were old enough
and healthy. A friend of ours loved their mother and adopted her, but we
obviously failed pretty badly at letting the others go!”
Amanda’s love of animals is evident in the fact that even after her internship
ended, she continues to work with the shelter as a volunteer. In addition to
volunteering at the shelter, Amanda also spends her time working at Three
Dog Bakery, and cites getting to bring her dog to work with her as one the great
benefits. But, she is still waiting for that perfect marketing position if one
opens up. (Hint, hint: if you’re hiring – let her know!)
When asked if she had any advice for future HSGKC volunteers, Amanda simply said
that, “there is so much that you can do to help the shelter, don't just
limit yourself to just one aspect!” Amanda hasn’t limited herself,
and we are so thankful for that!
So far this year, The Gabriel
Fund has helped an amazing 176 animals get the veterinary care they
need to live full, happy and healthy lives. This record breaking
number - an all time high- will likely surpass the 200 mark before
the year’s end. Thank you to
everyone who has contributed to The Gabriel Fund; without your support this success in healing
could not exist.
A.J.,
pictured above, had been hit by a car and is one of the many
pets saved by the Gabriel Fund this year.
The 9th
Annual Big Martini event
on October 7 was a great success! Through ticket sales, the silent
auction and the live auction, the shelter was able to raise $20,619 for the shelter pets. Guests enjoyed drinks and passed appetizers,
live music and good conversation late into the night.
Special thanks to McCormick and
Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant for their continued partnership and dedicated work in putting
on the event.
Ray of Hope:
Foster Homes Needed
The Ray
of Hope Program is looking
for individuals to foster animals coming from the KCK Animal
Control. Our shelter can’t take in everyone and your home
could be the place to provide love and warmth to an animal in
need while they await adoption. Pet
Connection in Mission, KS is
one of our Ray of Hope partners and they are in need of foster
homes for dogs we pull from KCK Animal Control who will then
go to Pet Connection for adoption. If you are interested, please
contact Pet Connection at (913) 671-8047 and ask for Sharon.
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Fletch is
a finalist in the ASPCA
Top Dog Photo Contest!
If
you've never met Fletch, he's a sweet-natured Pit Bull
mix who had been horribly abused as a bait dog in dog fighting.
When he first came to our shelter last spring he was covered
with wounds, malnourished, timid and depressed. Now he's a friendly
lap dog who loves to give kisses and he's ready for his forever
home.
Vote
for Fletch today to win the
ASPCA's shelter dog photo contest at http://www.aspcapro.org/feature/shelter-dog-vote.html
The contest
ends November 29. Be
sure to tell your friends to vote, too!
It’s that time of year again
when Santa takes a little break from toy-making to strike a pose
with his animal friends! This year, Santa will be taking photos
with pets on Saturday December
5th from 11am-3pm and Saturday
December 12th from 11am-3pm at the Fairway
Shops (Shawnee Mission
and Belinder) in the retail space between Hen
House and Rainy
Day Books. Additional parking is available at Hen House.
We need
your help to spread the word about the event. Pets
of any kind and people are welcome for the photos. Photos are $5 and
all proceeds benefit the shelter pets.
It was a Pawwty
for the Pets
The Annual
Open House and Pet Reunion on October 31 was a blast! Pets and their families came out dressed
in their Halloween best to mingle with other former adopted animals.
Guests enjoyed some delicious snacks,
had the chance to be photographed with their pet in a fall-themed
scene, and participated in a costume contest with our very own
Dr. Michelle Taylor winning first place for her Wizard of Oz
themed costumes!
Thanks to everyone who came out for
the party and for the generous donations. We collected $500 in in-kind items and $495 in donations
for the pets.
Click
here to view more photos from our reunion.
Items of the
Week:
Masking Tape & Paper
Towels
The shelter
is always in need of paper towels and this week is no different! We would love it
if the next time you stop by the shelter you could bring us a
roll or two.
And, if paper towels aren’t your thing, the clinic could
really use some 3/4 inch size masking
tape. They would definitely
be appreciative if some turned up!
For
a list of other items and services we need, please check out
our Sit Up and
Beg Wish List. All of these items go to helping our cause
become more successful and our animals’ lives become
more enjoyable.
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