S HELTER

APRIL

SHORTS
2014

Rivers & bluffs animal shelter

2014 Coming up
April
16th Pasta for Pets 17th-RABAS General Meeting 26th Princess for an Evening

P ASTA

FOR

P ETS !

Pasta for Pets is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 16th. We have an excellent roster of live and silent auction items. Thanks to everyone who has donated to the auction or has helped with soliciting money or auction items. A big thank you goes to Merilee for her tremendous efforts in making the auction even bigger and better than last year! Please support RABAS building fund by promoting this event to friends and family and plan on attending Pasta for Pets. A complete lineup of live and silent auction items can be found on our website www.riversandbluffsanimalshelter.org. Just a few of the items: 7 inch HP tablet, Emerson flat screen television, 26 inch boys bike, childs battery operated red convertible, 2 tickets to a Green Bay Packer pre-season game (date to be announced once the schedule is set), pet stroller/bike trailer, and a Night on the Town. Please promote this event to your friends and family and plan on attending. We will need volunteers to help set up the auctions, bus tables, pour coffee, milk and water, and clean up after. If you can help with this, please reply to this email or call Bev at 326-2914. We will start setting up between 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m. We will also need volunteers to bake. If you can bake a pan of brownies, a cake or pie or any type of dessert, please let Bev know by replying to this email or calling the above number. Desserts can be delivered to Huckleberrys on the day of the event. If you can bake, but do not have a way to get the dessert to Huckleberrys, please let Bev know. Hope to see you there!

Inside This Issue

2014 B OARD
TREASURER S REPORT

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PAST FUNDRAISER UPDATES

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS

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OTHER NEWS MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

RABAS MEMBERS

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2014 Board of Directors

SHELTER SHORTS is a monthly newsletter intended to keep Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter volunteers and supporters connected. With everyones hectic schedules, we know it is often difficult, if not impossible to attend monthly meetings or to work at all of our fundraisers. Everyone is invited to submit articles for the newsletter. To do so, please call Bev at 608-326-2914 or email her at wyalusing2012@gmail.com.

President- Randy Paske 1300 East Wells Street Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 608-622-7855- repaske@gmail.com Vice-President / Newsletter Editor Bev Pozega 32398 Gran Grae Road Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 608-326-2914 wyalusing 2012@gmail.com TreasurerJill Cipra 1014 South17th Street Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 608-326-4870 jbcipra@hotmail.com SecretaryMerilee Pleggenkuhle 815 North Wacouta Avenue Prairie du Chien, WI 647-330-2675 merileepleggenkuhle@ Board Member- Julie Whyte 322 South Wacouta Avenue Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 608-306-0499- chipndale322@hotmail.com Board Member- John Ryan 12890 Markley Hollow Road Bagley, WI 53801 608-996-2281 Board Member- Donna Heilmann 1702 East Fowler Street Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Prairie du Chien City Hall. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. Please use the back door. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The next general meeting is April 17th. Board Meetings will now be held on an as needed basis. The only scheduled board meeting will be the annual meeting which will be held on the 2nd Thursday in January.
Volunteer hours will be collected by Randy P. at monthly meetings or you can email your hours to Randy at repaske@gmail.com.

Treasurers Report
Jill Cipra Treasurer

Check us out on the Web

www.riversandbluffsanimalshelter.org
Thanks to randy Paske for keeping this website up to date!

Current balance as of March 20, 2014

$139,887.87
Checking Account Balance - $6138.80; Total C.D.s- $133,749.07

Like us on Facebook
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UPcoming fundraiser

Princess for an Evening is fast approaching. The date is Saturday, April 26th and will be held at Huckleberrys Restaurant and Banquet Hall. Thirty-two pastel posters have been made. Jill, Donna and Bev have posted all but 2 or 3 of them in local businesses, schools and daycares. Advertising will start next week. Tiaras, balloons and clips, helium, and Princess cake have been ordered. Kembles Greenhouse has donated corsages. Tender Care Animal Hospital and Dr. Donna Higgins are the sponsors for Princess for an Evening. At the April meeting we discussed offering healthier refreshments and not as many desserts. The Princess cake will be the only dessert. We will offer fresh fruit and veggies, cheese and crackers, heart shaped finger jello and punch. To cut down on expenses, we are asking volunteers to donate any of the above refreshments or possibly a few dollars to be used to purchase the refreshments. If you would like to donate product or cash to purchase the items, please reply to this email or call Bev at 326-2914. We will decorate the banquet hall at Huckleberrys on Saturday at 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to join in the fun. This is another event that just seems to fall into place. Jill has contacted Badger Welding and they will donate a tank of helium. Lynn Rider will also provide a group ballroom dance lesson and Bev has contacted the Andy Jones to be the DJ. Brian Cipra has volunteered to be the photographer once again. Thanks to everyone for their help with this event.

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RabasRabas- ongoing fundraisers

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Kwik Trip gas cards

Kwik Trip Gas Card Sales from February 21 through March 20th totaled $3,625.00 which is almost $100.00 more than the month before. Profit for KT cards for the period ending March 20th, totaled $362.50 Thanks to everyone who continues to support our efforts through the purchase of these cards. If more would purchase these cards from us, we could realize our goal of a functional building in the near future. The sale of Kwik Trip cards continues to be our easiest and most profitable fund raiser. Please help us by contacting me through this email or by phone 326-2914, Jill at 326-4870 or Donna at 608-379-2112. We need this shelter and we need it now. Please help us. Purchase one tank of gas per month with KT cards from Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter. You can make a difference in helping to save the lives of unwanted pets.

Make checks payable to RABAS

phoneraiser
Phoneraiser Please continue to save and donate your old cell phones, smart phones and ink cartridges. They can be dropped off at Tender Care Animal Hospital, Radio Shack or just bring them to a RABAS meeting. Donna, thank you for your time and effort in this project.

U. s. bones
Please continue ordering cat and dog treats from USBones.com. They donate 25% of each order placed, to RABAS!

Attention business owners!!!!

Would you like to advertise your business to hundreds of animal lovers, who spend lots of money on their faithful companions? RABAS is now offering advertising spots in the monthly, Shelter Shorts newsletter! Contact Bev at 608-326-2914 for more information.
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ADVERTISEMENT HEADING ADVERTISEMENT HEADING

Organization Name
Organization Name

00% OFF

List your hours or the time and date of your event.

Describe your location by landmark or area of town.

Describe your special offer, and tell readers to bring in the ad to qualify.
Organization

Tel: 555 555 5555

Expiration Date: Expiration Date:

shelter shorts / april 2014

00/00/00 00/00/00 Expiration

Date:

00/00/00

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upcoming fundraisers

Nelson True Value Food Stand and Bake Sale is set for Friday, May 9th. As mentioned in an earlier email, this years food stand and bake sale will only be one day, instead of the usual two. I did not book the food stand early enough and another organization beat me to Saturday. But we will not need as many baked goods or number of volunteers to help with it being only 1 day. We will still need 3-4 people to help on the day of the event as well as a number of volunteers to bake. If you can help, please let me know. Rooster Andys Chicken Q will take place on Thursday, May 29th. We will need a number of volunteers to make this happen. I think we usually start around 10 a.m. and are done at 6. If you cannot help for the entire day, please try to help for part of the day. This is one of our easiest and most profitable fund raiser. More on this as we get closer to the end of May. Please Save the Dates for the above fund raisers. Remember, we need your help as many hands make light work.

Other news
FIRST ANNUAL DOGGY PLAY DAY was held on Sunday, March 23rd. Twelve dogs and 14 people joined in the festivities. The dogs had a great time and once they were off leashes, they were all well behaved. The Natural Gait is a great place and getting there is half the fun. The horse arena was a bit dusty to say the least. But it served our purposes for Doggy Play Day. I think many would like to try it again next year, but possibly in a different place, because of the dust. Dog Obedience Classes are in full swing. There are currently 3 sessions 2 beginner classes with mostly puppies and the advanced class. The trainers in all 3 classes are very committed and improvement is seen every week. I think everyone is having fun. Even if the dogs are not as well trained as the handlers were hoping for at the end of the session, they should come away from class with the knowledge to continue the training at home. Anyone who has ever worked with dogs will know that training dogs is an ongoing commitment. The socialization that these dogs are receiving in class is very important. I recently purchased a tunnel and I brought it to class. All of the dogs went through the tunnel, most of them really enjoyed racing through it. At this weeks class we will introduce the high jump to the advanced class. Wish us luck. Pounds off People and Pets- Walks will be starting up again! First walk will be April 15th at 6 p.m., and will meet at the Villa Louis east side parking lot. Please bring water and poop pickup bags!
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Other news

Rivers & Bluffs Tri-Fold Randy P suggested that we design a tri-fold for our various fundraisers. The trifold will include information on our community involvement, fundraising and building design. He has personally been working on it and will show what he has done at the April meeting. Adoptions, Losses, People Looking for a New Pet, Pets in Need of a Forever Home Our sympathy goes to Gloria and Dave Derksen in the loss of their canine friend, Nemo and also to Terry and Peggy Tesar in the loss of their beloved beagle, Tommy. Flicka, a beautiful cat in need of a home is currently being cared for at Tender Care Animal Hospital. This cat has a personality to match its physical appearance. The tortoise shell cat (1 of the 3 that were feral, trapped, spayed/neutered and vaccinated) remains at Tender Care also looking for a home. The other two were returned to the location they were trapped at where they will be cared for as outside cats. They will be fed and sheltered and will also have as much human contact as they will allow. A big thank you to Jami, Ken and the staff at Tender Care for your help with all 3 of these cats. I know you did the best you could.. Kids and Canines Summer Camp I have always wanted to try some type of summer camp for kids and dogs. Mike Ulrich, PdC Park and Rec. Director had contacted me about including the Prairie Pool Puppy Paddle in the summer rec. opportunities guide. I had asked him about the possibility of a summer camp. He needed info on both ASAP to include it in the summer rec guide. The date of the camp will be July 14, 15 & 16. Activities will include doggie arts & crafts, cooking for your dog (making delicious dog treats), safety around dogs, meet the therapy dogs, a visit by Dr. Jami (if her schedule permits), importance of spaying/neutering & vaccinations as well as other topics. On Wednesday, dogs will be invited with children who will have parents in attendance. The camp will run from 6 p.m. 7:30 each of the 3 nights and participation will be limited to 10 children. If you have a therapy dog and would like to be involved, please let me know. If anyone would like to help me with this, please know I would appreciate your help. Mike will take care of registration cost will be $20 per family. RABAS will make $15 from each family with the remaining $5 going to PdC Park and Rec. Therapy Dog Teams Kathy Paske and Digger and Paula Gutzmer and Maggie continue their regular visits to Prairie Maison. Paula and Maggie also visit patients at the hospital. Everyone at the hospital as well as Prairie Maison is so excited and happy to see the dogs. I think the staff enjoys the visits as much as the residents and patients. Deb Cross and her Golden Retriever Jaz have resumed weekly visits to Ms. Kracheys class at Bluffview School as well as Walter Schmidt Home. I have recently retired from Wyalusing State Park and will now hopefully have more time to get re-involved with therapy dog work. I have already contacted Karen Ulrich PdC Memorial Hospital Volunteer Coordinator and Pam Ritchie of the Opportunity Center.
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Other news

Window Clings were ordered from Sports World by Randy P and should be here in time for sale at Pasta for Pets. A press release requesting financial help for the building fund was written and published in a number of local papers. We had only one person respond Jack Kussmaul from Millville, WI, saw the press release in the Lancaster paper and sent a check for $100. At this point I am not sure what our next step will or should be to increase awareness and raise donations specific to the building fund

Membership renewals & donations

Membership Dues to Increase Effective June 1st the cost of membership dues will increase. The new membership fee structure is as follows: Single: $25 Family: $35 Patron: $75 Sponsor: $150
Jami & Ken Quick Family; Kim Pinkham Single; Mike & Amy Enlow- Patron; Bonnie Olson Sponsor; Linda Munson Sponsor; Donna & Dale Cipra Family; Julie Whyte Single; Mollee Whyte Student; Shirley Wegmuller Single; Donna Heilmann Sponsor; Marilyn Crubaugh - Single Donations: Arleen Skaife in memory of Walter Skaife; Bonnie Olson; Pampered Chef/Kristy Austins commission check $130 (from book party Deb Cross sponsored last year) Nelson True Value popcorn money for month of February $144.79; Ray Wrobel All membership payments and donations are current through March 20th, 2014.
Reminder: Annual memberships should be renewed 1 year from the month in which you joined. Thanks to everyone who volunteered this month. Thanks to everyone who supported us through donations, and memberships. There are many jobs that continue to get done without recognition. River and Bluffs Animal Shelter Membership Form Student - $5.00 ____ Individual - $15.00 ____ Family - $25.00 ____ $_______ per year. Name:___________________________________ Address:_________________________________ City/State/Zip_____________________________ Email:____________________________________ Phone Number:______________________ Please mail membership form to: River and Bluffs Animal Shelter Sponsor - $50.00 _____ Patron - $100.00 _____ Benefactor - $500.00

Needed: Your email address!

Please include your email address when filling out your membership form. This is a fast and inexpensive method of communication. Postage, paper, envelopes and printing costs add up! Electronic mailing of the newsletter saves RABAS big $$$$!

I would like to make a monthly pledge of : ________ per month for a total of

PO Box 421, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

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Patron members
Jennifer Clements Patricia Dillman Amy & Michael Enlow Paula Gutzmer Stephanie McCumber Laura Nix Mike & Shelly Rider Bob & Diane Witt

Sponsor members
Marilu Bintz Lu DeGuzman Donna Heilmann Sasndy Kittle Gary & Kathy Koch Linda Munson Bonnie Olson Ron Stark Joe and Kay Schmitz Frank & Mary Weeks

family members
Randy & Linda Bedward Tom & Marjorie Bennett Sharon Boylen Donna & Dale Cipra Jill & Brian Cipra Mike & Mary Jane Faas Eric & Betty Frydenlund Randi & Mike Kluesner Randy & Kathy Paske Jim & Kathy Powers Jami & Ken Quick Ron & Kathy Quamme John & Judy Ryan Kurt & Peggy Smith Brent Seamans Roberta Spires George & Mary Tilley Steve & Lynda Welter Honorary

individual members
Tori Armstrong June Burns Alexis Burns Deb Cross Phil Dwornik Dawn Eggers Kelly Fishler Janis Hein Joe Hunzeker Kristen Helgerson Kriegl Marty Leeman Deb Luebker Kim Pinkham Merilee Pleggenkuhle Bev Pozega Rosemary Reese Sue Rider Seth Sanders Shirley Wegmuller Sally Whitish Brenda Wilson Julie Whyte

Monthly pledge member

8 & Eileen Klatt Don

Student member
Mollee Whyte

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