News from Heartland Animal Shelter

Summer 2012 - Volume 2 - Edition 2

www.issuu.com/heartlandanimalshelter www.heartlandanimalshelter.net

Currently Adoptable

And

Many

More

Online!

Table of contents

CONTRIBUTORS

WRITING: Paula Burgeson (V), Julie Goodman (V), Lisa Dister (S) / PHOTOGRAPHY: Izaan Du Toit (V), Paula Burgeson (V), Jeff Deutch & Michelle Voss (V), Microsoft Clip Art, Getty Images / MAPS: Google / INFORMATION AND STORY IDEAS: Chris (S), Lisa (S) (Volunteers are labeled with a V, Staff labeled with an S)

FROM THE COVER Lively’s Going

Home story is on

Back Cover

ASPCA Adoption Study → 1

Northbrook Coyotes → 3

Bow Wow Bowling → 4

Agility Information → 5

Understanding Dog Bites → 6

Around the Kennel → 8

Dog Care Committee → 8

Cinco De Meow → 9

Heartworm Facts → 10

Chronicles goes Full Color → 11

Walk of Love → 11

Saying Goodbye → 12

New Sign! → 12

A Call for Artists → 13

Congrats Grads! → 13

Thanks Chipotle → 13

Dairy Queen → 14

Volunteer Appreciation Night → 15

Volunteer Status Updates → 15

Best Friends Network → 15

IN THIS ISSUE

Thank You → 7

Accomplishments →11

Coming Soon → 12

What’s New → 13

Pup Personals → 16

REGULAR COLUMNS

EVERYONE’S ADOPTABLE* *Some are just more adoptable than others

W ith shelters across the country filling up fast due to the poor

economy, the ASPCA decided to conduct a study to see how

people chose their adopted pet. They interviewed adopters at

five shelters across the country, resulting in more than 1,500

completed surveys. Participants were asked about how they

chose their canine companion or feline friend, when there were

so many to choose from. Not surprisingly, dog adopters said

that they chose dogs who came to the front of their cages, had

great personalities and looked the best. When adopting a dog

or puppy, both groups had “physical appearance” as one of

their top criteria.

This means that we all have a duty at the shelter to help

each person see the good in each dog, even if they aren’t

ready for their debut at Westminster.

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As mentioned, the dogs who get adopted first are the ones

that appear to be most friendly. We all can help this, either by

easing a shy dog out or helping an over-active dog not to bark

excitedly if anyone goes by. We all know a dog who was shy or

old but over time they grew friendlier and were adopted.

THE STATS

Animals are adopted based on:

DOGS Behavior with people: 78.3%

Physical appearance: 75.4%

Age: 65.6%

PUPPIES Physical appearance: 76.8%

Age: 74.8%

Behavior with people: 73.9%

As a dog volunteer at

Heartland, we all have the

power to help make great

connections. The first step

is to know the dogs. Even if

you’re not an adoption

counselor, if a family with

small children is looking at

a dog who you know is not

great with kids, gently

explain that the particular

dog they’re looking at may

not be their best bet. In

reality, it’s the animals

we’re helping, not always

the people. Be aware that stereotypes exist for both dogs and people.

It’s our job not to believe any of them. Inform potential

adopters of our success rate with pit mixes and assure them

that there’s nothing wrong with adopting a black dog.

Cesar Milan has great tips on helping a family understand

their wants and needs in a shelter dog. Ask a family about their

energy level, allergies, experience with previous dogs and

training, and what kind of living situation they are in. Warn

people against impulse adoptions and encourage them to

come back in a week. Remember, they can always fill out

adoption papers.

To read Milan’s full list of adoption tips, visit: www.cnn.com/2012/3/06/living/cesar-milan-dog-adoption-tips/index.html

To read the ASPCA’s adoption study visit: www.mdpi.com/journals/animals

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URBAN COYOTES N o r t h b r o o k C o y o t e A t t a c k s

In April, Heartland Animal Shelter volunteers were warned of an

exponential amount of coyote attacks in the area. There were six

attacks during the week of Monday the 23rd. Volunteers were warned

to keep their dogs in close sight as the attacks continued.

Lisa Dister, volunteer coordinator at Heartland, provided some useful,

and possibly lifesaving tips, to keep your animals safe.

“Coyotes will attack both small and large breed dogs,” her email

warned. While the average coyote only weighs between 20-50 pounds,

they get bigger the farther North they live. The National Agricultural

Statistics Service list coyotes as the most abundant livestock predator.

Dister also warns that coyotes can get into fenced enclosures, so

despite letting your dog into what you believe is a “safe” area, it may

not be.

A study in California found that pets are most often eaten by coyotes

in winter and spring. Other than eating pets, coyotes live off of

misplaced garbage and pet food. “Eliminate food sources,” Dister

warns, “and never attempt to feed a wild animal.” She reminds

volunteers to check the lids on their garbage cans to make sure they’re

secure and to keep pet food indoors.

Also important: keep your yard free

from hideouts, such as thick bushes or

spaces under a deck where coyotes

could live.

They are not nocturnal and could

strike at any time of the day. Please

keep your animals close by.

If you see a coyote in your area,

please visit www.urbancoyoteresearch.com

to help you assess the situation and

figure out the right steps to take.

For more information on coyotes,

please visit National Geographic’s

website.

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B O W W O W

B O W L I N G THANKS: Jean Andersen, Lar ry Stotts, Michelle Voss and Jeff Deutch!

It’s not always when volunteers compete against each other.

Maybe, you compete about how many animals you can help find

homes for or how many dogs you can walk in an hour, but this friendly

competition, held at River Rand Bowl on March 25th, encouraged all

to engage in some healthy competitive bowling.

We’d like to thank everyone who came out to attend Bow-Wow

and Alley Cat bowling! Despite some gutter balls, the event went off

like a perfect strike. A great time was had by all as raffle prizes,

games and food complimented the bowling!

We had several great sponsors who helped us have such a good

time. Heartland would like to extend their gratitude to Agency Promo

Group, Chalet Nursery, Patrick’s Pantry, Johnny’s Kitchen & Tap, and

Sleepypod.

Thanks to the Heartland fundraising committee

for once again creating a flawless event. This is

one event that everyone of all ages can enjoy and

we hope that if you didn’t make it this year, you

can come out and bowl a few frames next year!

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As the weather gets nicer outside, we

want to spend more time outside with the

dogs! I see many volunteers misusing the

agility equipment, and I’d just like to

clarify a few simple tips to make sure that

we all can enjoy it safely!

AGE: No matter how spry that puppy you’re walking seems, it can

damage their “growth plates” if the

dog is jumped before 18 months of

age. In fact, this is so dangerous

that the American Kennel Club will

not allow entry of a dog into an

agility trial until they are 18 months.

Please know that older dogs may

be hurt during this activity as well.

Size: The American Kennel Club has the following measurements for

competition obedience. Please

keep in mind that the current jump

in our yard is about 16” high.

Only dogs that are over 14” tall at

their shoulders should be jumping

that jump. Please do not

encourage smaller dogs to jump it.

This is for their safety.

Approach: Many volunteers simply walk the dogs up to the A-

Frame and expect them to scale

it perfectly. The A-Frame is an

obstacle that needs several

strides so that the animal properly

goes up one side and down the

other. In competition agility the

first feet of either side of this

obstacle are painted a separate

color and known as “Contact

Points,” meaning that an animal

has to touch these points or a

fault will be deducted from their

score. This is again for their safety.

If an animal jumps off the

obstacle before hitting a contact

point, they could be severely hurt.

Breed: Though the AKC does not limit which breeds can participate,

please know that breeds with

longer bodies (like Bassets or

Daschunds) tend to be most injured

in these kinds of events.

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UNDERSTANDING

DOG BITES Why neutering matters

It can be hard explaining to new adopting families why we spay or

neuter animals before they go home. Some people are opposed to the

surgeries or they don’t understand the health benefits that come with

the procedures.

Recently, statistics said that anywhere between 81-95% of dogs that

bit had not been fixed. While attending a police dog training seminar,

the dog trainer for the force explained that they don’t fix their police

dogs (which are also only male) because they need to have the urge

to bite people.

The American Humane Association says that 92% of fatal dog attacks

were from males, and of that population 94% were never neutered.

They also say that unneutered males are almost three times more likely

to bite someone.

The most important thing to remember about dog bites is that it’s all

about how the owner cares for the dog. A large percentage of dog

bites were from chained dogs. Chaining increases the stress amount of

the dog which would make them more aggressive. Also, a large

percentage of dogs bite because they are left to run loose and are not

watched by their owners.

Remember, it’s our duty to dispel myths about pit mixes! We have

several great pits at Heartland who would love to have a home. Pit

bulls get a bad reputation because their bite strength is the strongest of

any breed and can do the most damage. However, if a dog is properly

trained and socialized, the dog will have fewer aggressive tendencies.

To see the findings from the American Humane Society, visit: http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stop-animal-abuse/fact-

sheets/dog-bites.html

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A big Heartland thank you to Alex E. and his group of volunteers! Alex reached out to many people and companies in the community to

donate money, goods, and services to make this amazing project

possible. Alex and his friends filled the outdoor kennels with pea gravel

and installed lumber around the outside of the fencing. This update will

allow rain water to drain into the ground through the gravel and ensure

that our dogs can stay dry in the kennels. Alex and his group also

created a pathway from the entrance of the kennel to the outdoor

play yard and filled pot holes in the parking lot with the extra pea

gravel. Heartland is so grateful to Alex and all of his helpers for

improving the lives of all of our dogs and our dog walking volunteers.

Another thanks goes to Howard

Thomas and Breckenridge Fence

Company! Howard and his crew helped to install a new outside

dog run and put a roof on another

outside run and the best part....he

donated his services free! Howard

and his family have adopted from

Heartland Animal Shelter and his

son is also completing an Eagle

Scout project! We greatly

appreciate all their compassion

and support! If you're ever are

looking for fencing installment or

repairs, contact Howard! Under

the picture of our new kennel is his

info, call him if you are looking for

a fence!

Breckenridge Fence Company,

Howard Thomas Owner.

604 Hillside Rd.

Glenview, IL.

# 847-729-5137

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Through A Dog’s Ear Heartland recently purchased four

CDs from Through a Dog’s Ear. The

CDs feature music that has been

modified for “psycho- acoustics”

that well help the dogs (and cats)

be more relaxed while listening. The

research shows that when dogs are

overwhelmed, they may start to

block certain stimulants out (such as

sound – think about the constant

barking sometimes in the kennels).

These CDs help dogs filter out good

noise from the bad, and create a

sense of balance and relaxation.

We’d just like to thank the Dog Care

Committee for their service and dedication

to the shelter. Below are the improvements

we’ve made in the last year! Great job!

Buddy Program New kennel signs

New sick signs Dogs in Training Hall sign Cut bushes & trees Safety chains installed Mirrors in the kennel

Kennel Chronicles

Emergency alert system Coat rack Slats in middle kennels Cleaning supply stations Leashes & Collars Whiteboard

In case a potential

adopter asks a question

about a breed you are

not familiar with, consult

the breed binder, created

by Chris Norris, next to the

mini fridge in the kennel.

Around the Kennel

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Sleepy Pod Metropolitan

Pet Carrier

Sleepy Pod Mobile Luxury Pet Carrier

Kitten Play Tree

Embroidered Cat Fleece(two sizes)

We’d like to thank everyone who bought raffle tickets for our Cinco de

MEOW fundraiser! Throughout the month of May Heartland sold raffle

tickets for many great prizes. According to Jeff Deutch, Heartland

volunteer, a whopping 243 tickets were sold in person and almost $200

worth of raffle tickets were additionally bought online! Below are the

winners of the prizes, but keep in mind – the animals were the ones who

really won this one because the money raised will go directly to their care.

Thanks to everyone who bought or sold tickets for Heartland!!

The $50 Buca Di Beppo

gift card

Rights to name

the next two

litters of kittens

Thank you to everyone who donated these great items!

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All about

H e a rt wo r m

Heartworm is a parasite

that is given to dogs via bites

from infected mosquitos. Those bites inject

tiny worms into pets, and those worms damage

the blood vessels and increases blood pressure.

If blood pressure gets too high, the heart will fail.

Thanks to Allison for finding the research! Also, please know that the rate of Heartworm is

expected to be higher than ever this year. It’s our job to stay informed.

If you’d like more information about Heartworm and how Heartland

works to prevent and treat it, please talk to Christy or Lisa.

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Kennel Chronicles goes

Thanks to Issuu.com we are able to

go full color! Before, the

Chronicles was inspired by a

newsletter from another non profit

organization, and to keep costs down,

Chronicles was put in black and white

for cheaper printing. Also, you may

notice that Chronicles is now more like

a magazine than just a newsletter.

This is also due to Issuu.com as we are

not restricted by size limits. Hope you

enjoy the new format!

Save the Date! What: Walk Of Love & 10K for K9s Run!

When: Saturday, July 28, 2012

Time: 8:30 am start 10K for K9s Run

9:30 am start Walk Of Love

Where: Blue Star Memorial Forest Preserve

701 E. Lake Ave, Glenview, IL 60025

Cost: $20 for adult pre-registration

$25 for adult registration the day of

$10 for child registration (3-12yrs)

$12 for child registration day of

Dogs are free!

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Accomplishments: Congratulations

to Heartland alumni, Caramel, on her

Therapy Dog Certification!!

Saying Goodbye C o r i n n e

Each Friday night for the last three years,

Corinne would make sure each dog’s cage was

clean, that they had gotten out for the day and

that they had enough water to last the night.

While it may not have made the most glamorous

Friday night, like many of us, she wouldn’t have it

any other way.

Her favorite part of volunteering was seeing

each dog go to it’s forever home, but it was time

for her to go to a new home as well. Good luck

in North Carolina, Corinne! We miss you already!

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Summer time

means it’s starting

to get hot out

there, and many

of us dog walkers

will not be wearing our heavy winter

coats anymore. That leaves many of

us without a sturdy pocket to hold

our keys! Volunteer Kathleen

realized that Heartland needed to fix

this problem and will be installing a

key rack by the coat rack! This will

prevent us from losing our keys or

putting them in strange places

around the kennel. So keep your

eye open for that necessary

improvement and thanks Kathleen!

A big thank you goes out

to all the volunteers who

helped create our new “sign”

while our main sign is being

repaired. This is a great

example of how volunteers

can step up to think of simple

fixes when they’re needed

most! Thank you!

New sign!

Heartland would also like to extend their thanks to Volunteer

Bob who for the last several years was our Friday night greeter!

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We need your pictures!

Heartland has an art show July 22nd from

1:15-4:30pm at Glenview Public Library!

We need your photos, sketches or

paintings of what the American Shelter

Pet looks like. We are trying to dispel

myths that these animals are rejects!

Email your artwork or pictures to Lisa.

We’d like to congratulate all of our graduates! Many of our high school helpers are graduating this season and we wish them well in their future endeavors.

Remember to fill out the customer satisfaction

survey for the Chipotle of Arlington Heights!

They provided great food for our volunteer

appreciation dinner and we owe them a big

THANK YOU!!!

Thanks to Julie and Allyson for

painting our dog house and

putting up window boxes of red

and white flowers. These little

touches make Heartland feel

more like a home! Thank you for

creating such a beautiful outdoor

space with just a few supplies; the

dogs appreciate the view!

Thanks Chipotle!

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Sweet people

Visit them!

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Northbrook Dairy Queen

2770 Dundee Road

Northbrook, IL, 60062

For many people April 15th is not generally a sweet day, but this

year it turned out to be great thanks to the “Dairy Queen Family.”

Melissa Winters, along with her parents, Ed and Sue Schubert, who

are also the owners of the Northbrook Dairy Queen, had a fundraiser

for all the animals here at Heartland. Aside from having a raffle, a

bounce house and a donation jar, money was raised from a DQ

Blizzard with an unofficial flavor: Puppy Chow. The snack was

created with Chex cereal, chocolate sauce and peanut butter

served in DQ’s delicious ice cream.

The Schubert family also collected donations of food for the

shelter. A truck was loaded with various food donations, as each

donation of food entitled customers to a free frozen treat.

In all the Dairy Queen fundraiser brought in over $4,000 and many

useful food items for the pets at the shelter. The Schubert family

presented Heartland with the check and a framed article covering

the event at the Volunteer Appreciation dinner. We can’t thank

them enough!

Volunteer Appreciation Night Wow! What a turn out! The Heartland

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner brought in

around 80 volunteers to celebrate the

success of Heartland over the last

decade! A big thank you goes out to

Chipotle for catering our dinner (see

page 13) and a round of applause goes

to all the Heartland Staff who helped

organize the event! Heartland Staff

member Chris made a great

presentation that made us all realize

what a difference each of us makes in

the lives of these homeless animals. It

was standing room only! Thank you to

everyone who attended! We hope to

see you again next year!

FIVE YEARS

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These volunteers have graciously donated their time since 2007 or before!

Laurie Tomaszkiewicz Liz Earnest Barb Feig

DonnaLee Caringella Marilyn Kravitz

Joan Wronkiewicz Josie Vittner

Suzy Anetsberger-Carter Lucy Sanders

Susan Whalen-Sanders Ruby Cruz

Janice Greenberg Sandy Brandon

Elaine Marion Susan Frissell Jim McHugh

Volunteer Status Updates Heartland Joins the

Heartland has recently joined

Best Friends Animal Society’s “No

More Homeless Pets Network.”

There was no cost to join the net-

work and it will provide many

great fundraising opportunities

and help us promote adoption

events. We actually have a

listing on their page for Illinois No-

Kill shelters! Like their motto says,

we all aim to “Save More Lives

Together!” We are looking

forward to upcoming events with

Best Friends!

Debbie McHugh Jeff Deutch Michelle Voss Tom Bohn Karen Wikstrom Abby Dickman Judie Taki Lorry Zirlin Helene Gail Cathy Vaughn Carol Burgeson Gail Burgeson Don Burgeson Paula Burgeson John Andrews Jeanette Andrews

Bob Bergeron

scratches and play with toys. I’ve been

“Well, hello there! I’m Babee, a lovely lady with a sweet disposition. I love to cuddle, receive

complimented on my beautiful coat and would love for a buddy to brush me outside in the yard. We could relax in the shade and socialize with other dogs and people. When will YOU

come to spend time with me?” - Babee

“Hey there, lads and ladies! I'm Miss Liberty, but you can call me Lib for short. I'm a fun loving girl, always wagging my tail and up for meeting new people! I could use some help socializing with other pups and would enjoy attending training classes nice days. I love to play outside and get lots of pets! Will you

buddy up with me and help me find my forever home? Nobody responded to my last ad, so I’m trying again!” –Miss Liberty

“Hey there! I’m rory, a blonde boy with the softest coat! I’m always in a good mood and love when people spend time with me outside in the summer sun. Sometimes I relax in the outdoor chairs like a person. I’ve been told that it’s rather cute! My

energy and athletic skills are quite attractive, but they also enable me to climb fences easily. I

need someone to redirect that energy into

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:

agility training and mental activities. can you do that?” -rory

“I’m a four-legged, dark and handsome boy that’s looking for a buddy! I love people, other dogs, toys, running around the yard and getting attention! I get extremely excited and love to jump on people, so I need someone to help me learn my basic manners and commands. I am very friendly and can’t wait to buddy up with you!” - Zion

All sweatshirts $30 – See the front desk

going home LIVELY

It’s rare that we can see a puppy

grow up. Many puppies are adopted

virtually as soon as they come in, with

their overwhelming cuteness winning

any heart that walks through our door.

But Lively was a different story. It was

almost like no one wanted this rabbit-

eared pup.

Black dogs are harder to adopt, but even black puppies

eventually get adopted. For Lively, it took nearly a year. He came

to us at the end of August 2011 and was finally adopted recently.

Lively’s buddy was Michelle who did a great job preparing him

for his future home! By the time he left, he learned his manners and

did great in training class. Even though it took him a long time to

find the right home, it’s great that he got so much preparation by

all of the loving volunteers. Thanks to everyone! Goodbye Lively!