PAW PRINTS - Ark-Valley Humane Society
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FALL NEWSLETTER | 2021
PAW PRINTS
Inside Scoop...
Soots was barely out of kittenhood herself when she This plan also backfired and after going to a
was found trapped inside someone’s chimney. How she second foster home, we started looking for a
got in there, no one is sure, but we do know that she barn home that would take Soots, since her
was stuck there for a number of days. She had given health had fully recovered. Feral cats and
birth to stillborn kittens while in the chimney and was friendly house cats are the same species and
dehydrated and lethargic when she was found. Her breeds of cats, but due to being born outdoors,
finders brought her to our shelter and we began giving never socialized to humans in kittenhood, and
her subcutaneous fluids and nutritious canned food. raised by feral mothers, the most humane
Then it was discovered that something was not right, as solution is to find somewhere that they can be
there was tissue protruding from her vulva. After an cared for from a distance, while they deter
emergency surgery, it was discovered this was another rodents from taking over a barn or garage. In
nonviable kitten. A sonogram showed yet another kitten Soots’ case, she couldn’t wait. With incredible
still inside her, and there was a moment of hope that skill and force she broke out of her foster
this last kitten could be saved. Sadly, it too did not make home and was never seen again. In some
it. Because Soots was so weak when she was found, ways, it’s a sad ending. We can only hope that
neither the finders nor AVHS staff knew that she was Soots found the nearby stream and barns,
feral. It was only after nursing her back to health that possibly living happily along with other feral
she began to display the telltale signs of being cats in the area. At the very least, we know
unsocialized to humans. Her eyes were wide open, her that she is vaccinated, spayed and got a
pupils were dilated, her ears were back, and she tried to second chance at a wild life.
hide and avoid anyone who attempted to handle her.
Soots is one of over 100 feral cats that will go through Sincerely,
our Trap-Neuter-Return program this year. We help to
get these cats spayed or neutered as quickly as
possible and either returned to their outdoor habitats or Amber van Leuken
occasionally relocated to barn homes. Because Soots AVHS Executive Director
had been through so much, we wondered if she was
actually feral or if she had been traumatized by her
recent experience and might do better in a foster home.
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FALL NEWSLETTER | 2021
Freedom Ride Photos!
Thank you to everyone who adopted an animal this summer!
Annual Feline & Fido Photo Contest had increased
participation this year!
Thank you to our sponsors!
Huge thank you to all who
participated in our Sixth annual
Feline & Fido Photo Contest
helping us raise over $5,200!
The 2022 calendars will be
available for purchase at the
shelter this Fall.
1st 2nd 3rd
BOWIE NANDA MURPHY, CHARLES, MILO
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FALL NEWSLETTER | 2021
First Ever Fundraiser with the
Comanche Drive-In was a success!
Thank you to everyone who came out for a special
screening of the Secret Life of Pets this August at
the Comanche Drive In Theatre! There were over
135 people in attendance at this family and dog
friendly event. We had a wonderful time seeing all
of our amazing supporters all while raising funds for
the animals of AVHS. We hope to see you all again
next summer!
Pictured: Staff member Sydney Cook, Board Member
Allison Gergley, Executive Director Amber Vanleuken
Thank you to High Country Bank
for featuring AVHS as the Charity
of the Quarter and raising
$1,511.11 for homeless animals ❤️
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FALL NEWSLETTER | 2021
Over the Rainbow Bridge By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS
Volunteer
They give us comfort and security as they cuddle next to
us, put a warm paw on our arm or look deep into our souls
with their loving eyes. They fill our homes with their
presence and their “stuff.” They become part of our daily
routine. As we leave, we say, “Bye. I love you.” They
depend on us and our care which gives us purpose. They
are our children.
With the loss of all a pet means to us, it is no wonder that
we are overwhelmed with emptiness and heartache. It
explains why we cannot stop the flow of tears and become
angry when some people say, “Hey, it will be ok. It is just an
animal.” They do not “get” what that pet has been in our
lives, and we need to ignore their words and allow
ourselves to grieve without guilt in our own way and in our
own time. There are many ways to cope with our grief and
begin to heal. Each person needs to find what works for
her or him. First and perhaps foremost is to acknowledge
Pip & Judy enjoying a morning together
your grief and give yourself permission to express it.
On August 11, I said goodbye to my miniature Release feelings as they arise, especially in those first
schnauzer, Pip. My home is empty, and my heart days.
aches. Just like so many other pet lovers, I find myself
asking, “Why does losing a pet hurt so much”, and with Grief is a personal and
guilt adding, “almost more than the loss of a human?”
My friends and I have discussed this and postulated unique experience for each of
our theories. I decided to see what authorities have to
say on the subject. What I read from psychologists, us. It is an expression of the
veterinarians, and animal support organizations made
me realize that grief for the loss of a pet is normal,
love we have felt for this pet
intense and entirely justified. We need to allow so central to our lives.
ourselves to grieve in our own unique manners, finding
the healthiest ways to cope so one day memories of Reach out to others who you know will listen and
our loyal friends bring smiles instead of tears. understand. If it appeals to you, find support groups to
Research has confirmed that for most people the loss help. Talk or write about your feelings, and begin to recall
of a pet is comparable to the loss of a human loved all the good times, letting happy memories start to fill in the
one. Grief can easily last 1-3 months and for some hole in your heart. If looking at photos helps, do so.
people longer. As with loss of a person, grief can move Find ways to memorialize your pet. Have a memorial
through many stages, although deep sorrow seems to service, get a memorial leaf or brick from AVHS, create a
be the strongest. shadow box of pet memorabilia, frame a favorite photo,
Grief is a personal and unique experience for each of plant flowers in your pet’s favorite spot in the yard or hang a
us. It is an expression of the love we have felt for this sun catcher in the window where he/she sunned. Make a
pet so central to our lives. Dogs and cats in particular donation to a local animal shelter in your pet’s name.
are members of our family. We celebrate their Do whatever is special to you and says, “I am honoring you,
birthdays, share their stories and photograph and video my furry friend, in memory of our strong bond of love. And
tape them, often posting them on social media. Our when the time is right for you, feel ok about bringing
dear pets provide companionship, acceptance, another pet into your life, not to replace the one you lost but
emotional support and unconditional love. They are to add new love to your heart.
loyal and always excited to see us when we come For me now, it helps to picture Pip running pain free “Over
home. Their antics make us laugh, filling our hearts the Rainbow Bridge” with my other two schnauzers, Riley
with joy. We talk to them and confide in them because and Destiny. I cry, but I also smile.
they do not judge. They are our trusted friends.
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FALL NEWSLETTER | 2021
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FALL NEWSLETTER | 2021
Thank you to our Grant Funders!
Board of Directors
These foundations and organizations helped with the building project,
Terri Buchanan, Chair general animal care, and spay/neuter
Tom Purvis, Vice Chair
Sarah McMahon, Treasurer
Ruth Phillips, Secretary
Greg Phillips
Allison Gergley
The Dr. Mary E Bates Foundation
Mary Ann Davidson The Mary Elizabeth Bates Foundation
Alice N Jenkins Foundation
Staff
Amber Vanleuken,
Executive Director
Johny Sandoval,
Operations Manager
Amanda Racicot,
Medical Manager
Emy Luebbering,
Outreach Manager
Jenna Geldreich,
NUMBERS THAT
Behavior & Enrichment COUNT
Coordinator JUNE - AUGUST RECAP
___________________________________
Nikki Ritter, Transfer
Coordinator Animals Adopted 97
Krissy Zic, Volunteer
Coordinator Lost Animals Returned to 42
Owner
Heather Mills, Animal
Care Technician
Animals In Foster 69
Sydney Cook,
Animal Care Technician Number of Spay/Neuter
Community Assistance 44
Surgeries
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In Kind Superstars:
Thank you, Summer Donors! June - August Rocky Mountain Lumber
Your contributions to AVHS are invaluable to the lifesaving work we do everyday. The animals we help everyday have a second chance at life because of you.
A. Jeannine Erhart Donna Hassinger Josette Deschambeault Sandra Starnaman Susan Meise
Aaron & Candace Koehn Donna Mausbach Judith Kratky Sandra Campbell Terry and Mary Ann
Adele Alfson Douglas Mendelson Judith I Retz
Sara Helm Williams
Aileen & James Martinson DW & BJ Serrurier Judy Hamontre
Sarah Price Theresa Mazza
Always Azul Pottery Edward & Patricia Schlatter Karel Bammes
Sharilyn & Paul Braly Thomas Small
Amy Wallis Edward Munson and Patricia Karen Watkins
Sharon Jahr & Betty Thomas Luster
Anita Powers Wool Karen & Joseph Lyczak
Bracewell Valley of the Sun United
Anna Murphy Eleanor Ludwig Kay Litz
Sheila Hellen Way
Anne Parker First Colorado Land Office Kenneth & Donna Nicholas- Vaughn & Sherry Bishop
Arlette Greeno Frankie Lee & Charles Hankins Griesel Sherry Icenhour
Vicki Berman
Betty & William Walters Gary Danhauer Kenneth & Sharon Tiegs Shirley & Phillip Pekala
William Mehos
Bobbi & Rolf Baehr Gaylynn Cowan Kroger Stacie McWilliams
William Harkcom
Bonnie Green George Brown Larry Dusza Steve & Viva Borbas
William Michael & Cynthia
Bow Wow Film Fest LLC Gerald Noe Larry & Carolyn Carr Steve and Karla
Sue Newell
Bradford Leach & Cindy Ginger Green Leland and Diane Lively Schaefer Your Best Friends' Mobile
Williams Gloria & Irving Broudy Leonard and Margaret Baldini Susan Hess Vet - Dr. Beth Ritchie
Brett Ulrich Grace Church Leota Gajda Susan Porter
BV Roastery Greg Nieto Lesley Fetterman
Carl & Rosanne Pearson H.R.R.M.C. Lesly & David Eckstein
Carl and Mary Ann Davis Harriet Dygert Linda & Michael Brazil
Carl J. & Jane M. Reno Heather Drew Lois Huyck
"Hi there, I'm Jack, available
Carol Melzer Heike Petersen Lorie Jackson for adoption from AVHS! I
Caroline Champe High Country Bank - Salida Lynn Fish wanted to thank everyone who
Carolyn Findley Hunter O'dell Maria Weber & James Bassett
Carolyn Nagusky James Bouma Martha Kriske donates to AVHS-you're
Cheryl McBride & Clinton James Harsh Martin & Kim Eos helping so many animals just
Lawrence James & Jean Ann McPhetres Mary Trauner
Cheryll Faust Jane Luetje
like me find loving homes!"
Mary Ann Bailey
Cindy Lawrence Jane Cisco Michael & Elaine Westheimer &
Clara Parker Jane & Dan Griffith Wolff
Colorado Pet Overpopulation Janet Schott Michael & Samar Fay
Fund Janet Mallow Michael Frank Perschbacher
Columbine Manor Care Center Janet Erchul Michele Van Doozer
Conrad Nelson anice & Robert Marken Monette & Butch Butler
Curt and Wynona Ogurek Janies Bunch Mountain Phoenix Roasters
Dani Southard Jean Hanfelt Nancy Burke
Daniel Burns Jean Wilcox Nancy Cutter
Daniel & Christine Dziennik Jeffrey Cohen Nancy & James Johnson
Darlene Godat Jeffrey & Deborah Blondeau Norman & Colleen Wheelock
David & Arlene Aldrich Jennie Ridgley Paige & Joe Judd
David & Karen Monroe Jennifer Adamso Paul Harris
David and Cindy Phillips Jennifer & David Ciancio Randal & Elizabeth Amettis
Dean Neely Jo Caissie Rene Frazee
Debbie Coats Jodie Snyder Richard Kenshalo
Debi & Phillip Stuart & Pratt John & Dixie Haddock Rick & Lisa Dutkiewicz
Dellina Strelow John & Jenny Price Rick and Connie Cameron
Dennis & Brenda Dempsey John & Marilyn Coleman Roger and Deborah Cason
Devin & Kristen Bentley John & Susan Ellis Ronald Miller
Diane and Jerald Mounts John & Susan Sulley Ronen Porter
Donald Boyd Joseph & Deborah Bowes Sally Mather
Over the Rainbow Bridge
Human Memorials "Until one has loved an animal,
Alto Reed Craig Starnaman Laurie L. Walters Marcy Adams part of one's soul
Cathy Amenta Jennifer Pittman Linda Mehos Ruth Simpson remains unawakened."
Corky Ransom Karen Bowers Lois Lounsbery Shirley Mazza
-Anatole France
Pet Memorials
Ally Waxman Fridley Gililan Josie Mcknight Macie Lehman Pearl Leaver Sassy
Ballsie Lydy Frostie Young Kagi Coffey Maddie White Pete Almgren Sassy Berndt
Bear Euler Gretel Verlander Kai Amend Marley Pip Sophie Harper
Bella Brooks Gucci Kayla Lyczak Matilda Rose Pixie Davis Spook
Belle Hoffman Gunner Kiera Treuillyan Mia Plague Arthur Squirt Whitaker
Brody Wulfsberger Gunner Kramer Mini Rouch Reggie Mills Takiah Armstrong
Burke Sandoval Higgins Wolfsberger Leo Moya Veltri Remi Thai Sigler Unen
Champ Brandon Howard Cunningham Leyna Murphy River Starnaman Tikka McGee
China Sulkey Hunter & Augie Leyna and Sammy Nacho & Bandit Rudy McCleer Ty Davis
Darcy Bohe Izzy Leyna Baehr Nuggy Ruger Smythe Winston Wheelock
Dougal Jasmine Kerker Lincoln Olive Sam
Dude Wekh 7
Jax Stalls Lucy Schoeffield Ozzie Clements Sam Houden
Emmitt McFee Jory Lyla Pearl Carey Sammie
701 Gregg Drive
Buena Vista, CO 81211
*return service requested*
Save The Date: Cause for the Paws Radio Auction October 27th
DONATE VOLUNTEER EMAIL CONNECT
$10 can sign up stay up-to-date connect with
help an animal online today on AVHS news AVHS online
701 Gregg Drive, Buena Vista, CO 81211
(719) 395-2737 www.ark-valley.org
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