The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer

Our dogs are back available for adoption today!  Many emotions come to mind - excitement, relief, cautious optimism...

It will probably take us a few days to get back to "normal." 

The paint in our freshly scrubbed, sandblasted and sealed adoption wards is still drying.

We're still getting things settled with our off-site stray facility so we can resume those operations here at the HAWS building by next week.

Our staff is still going strong, but showing a little fatigue.  (What would we do without our volunteers?!?!  And pizza delivery services?!)

It has been a tough few weeks for HAWS.  But, through it all, our community has been overwhelmingly supportive of us, and that has really carried us through.  We asked for donations, patience and understanding, and the public gave us all three - in spades!  The local media has been concerned for us, and are now excited at our kennel's re-opening.  The animal welfare community has stepped forward to assist in any way they can.  It seems that people in any kind of position to help have done just that.

Funny how in the midst of trying times there are some very bright spots.  We live in a very special community - our area is full of people who are genuinely concerned for their neighbors.

Our most sincere thanks to everyone who has been there for us - from all of the paws at HAWS!  Welcome back to the shelter - we'll see you soon!

By the way - with summer coming, so is our Kids'N Critters summer day camp.  Or, sign up the entire family to volunteer at HAWS.  Visit our website to learn of what YOU can do to spend your summer vacation with us at HAWS!  Now THAT will make for a great essay come fall...

We lost a friend of HAWS this past weekend - a person who was integral to our beginning and our continued success.

Romey Schoeninger, co-founder of HAWS and life-long animal welfare advocate, died this past weekend at the age of 92.  Her passing wasn't unexpected as she had been in hospice care, but it is still sad to know she is gone.  We'll miss her phone calls of support and humor, her very sage advice, and her passion for our work here at HAWS.

Last fall the Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies gave Romey their Eugene Kable Humanitarian Award.  This honor is only given on occassion when someone deserves the distinction because of their long-term public commitment to animal welfare.  It is the highest achievement award presented by WFHS.  The honoree is noted for their pioneering work, devotion, compassion and kindness.  (In some of our opinions, giving Romey this award was the definition of a "no-brainer"!)

Romey was one of the area citizens who got HAWS going in 1965, and she was close by all throughout the past 43 years making sure we were on the right track.  Even through tough times she could be counted on to be a clear and reasonable advocate.  Not surprisingly, she was not one to take the credit that was due to her, but was quick to point out others who have been instrumental in HAWS success.

But her personal opinions and guidance were still very important to us.  One staff member noted that after a tumultous time in the shelter's past, Romey gave that staffer her blessing to go back to working at HAWS.  "It's okay - they are on track and things are going well."  If Romey said it was okay, that was all that was needed.  That staffer will celebrate a 10-year anniversary with HAWS soon - and hopes to be around much longer to help continue HAWS' legacy.

Thank you, Romey, from all of your admirers, both 2- and 4-legged.  HAWS will miss you!   It is our hope that we at HAWS will honor you with our work for many years to come.

As a participant in a recent expo, HAWS received some internet-stream advertising on a local radio station.  While our actual commercial had to be abbreviated, the concept took us on a few tangents...our apologies to the restaurant personnel who didn't enjoy the creative process as much as we did!

"Mr. Sparkle Collar" - Unused Bits

REX:  You look great, Rex.  How's the new family?

SPIKE:  They're the best.  There's a couple of big ones and a couple of little ones...kinda loud, but I'm glad I found them at HAWS!

REX:  I got a hiker - Dog, we are in the woods all the time!  I'm glad I found him at HAWS, too.  (Conspiratorially to SPIKE):  Oh, great, here comes Mr. Sparkle-collar...

Mr. Sparkle Collar:  Hey guys!  What's a "HAWS"?

SPIKE:  You WISH you knew about HAWS...

Mr. Sparkle Collar:  Oh, HAWS - I have four of ‘em!

SPIKE:  Those are paws, Mr. Pedigree... HAWS is the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County.

REX:  It's a great place to find your new family...

SPIKE:  ...And to learn how to take care of your humans.

REX:  You know the place - over by the airport in Waukesha.

Mr. Sparkle Collar:  With all the big birds?

REX:  Those are planes, fuzzhead!

SPIKE (quietly to REX):  Clearly some over-breeding in this one...

REX:  You know, Waukesha has grown so much that HAWS is growing, too.

SPIKE:  I've heard that!  I also heard that besides taking care of animals, more than 31,000 people visit HAWS each year...

Mr. Sparkle Collar:  That's a lot of humans!

SPIKE:  ...and a lot of ‘em are looking for dogs, cats and even small animals like iguanas.

Mr. Sparkle Collar (shudders):  Iguanas scare me...

REX (quietly to SPIKE):  His shadow scares him... [to Mr. Sparkle Collar]  Iguanas are cool, even if they are bigger than you... 

By the way:  You can click on the Listen Live link on The Hog's website and you'll hear the actual commercial promoting our facility expansion, in rotation.  We are still working to acheive our fundraising goal of $1.86 million dollars - join us!

Last week at HAWS we were excitedly gearing up for our 25^th Anniversary Pet Walkathon on Saturday when...WHAMMO!

Streptococcus zooepidemicus bacterium.

It was a small bit of a relief getting word of the exact name of the mystery illness that took the lives of 7 dogs in our shelter.  We only had more questions:  Were the 2 dogs who were alive but showing symptoms going to make it?  Did we find out the treatment protocols soon enough to contain the illness from the rest of our dogs?  What else do we need to do?  How do you educate everyone about something that's still very much unknown?

Meanwhile, Bella and Raymond were not doing well.  Our kennel lead was occasionally making disruptive noises outside of Bella's cage - to roust her awake and "make sure she was still with us."  When you are used to hearing barking and being greeted by jumping and general canine excitement, it is devastating to see a dog that doesn't even have the energy to lift its head to acknowledge you.

What else could we do but administer meds, clean, wait, and hope?

On Sunday morning our caretakers first started noticing a marked improvement in Bella and Raymond's conditions.  We knew they were holding steady once the first meds were given, but the wagging tails on Monday morning were just what the doctor ordered.

Bella and Raymond were outside today for photo ops with the local media. 

It has never been so great to get doggy kisses.

By the way - HAWS is still OPEN - the only part of our facility that is on restriction is the dog kennel.  Please stop in - especially if you are looking to adopt a cat, rabbit or other small animal.  We are also gratefully accepting any donations to get us through - bleach, money to cover medications and tests...thanks in advance for your help!