AWSOM Paw-Gress Report Vol. 4 8/19/10

Welcome to AWSOM's Paw-gress Report! Check back here for the very latest in AWSOM news!..........success stories, upcoming events and all the ways you can help! You won't want to miss any of this!

KISSES FOR KISTLER PRINTING!
AWSOM extends a big barking THANK YOU to Kistler Printing, Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg for our new canvas sign. It's the “purrfect” size and so easy to transport. Again, loads of appreciation coming your way!

IN SEARCH OF A SPECIAL HOME FOR CODY
If you're looking for a constant companion, have we got the dog for you! Cody is beautiful border collie mix who needs a special family to accommodate his highenergy needs. Cody is super-sweet and loves spending time with people and other dogs. But his anxiety with being left alone means he needs an understanding family that is home often, preferably with other dogs for companionship. Cody has come a long way due to special training, but will require continued training, consistent leadership and plenty of exercise to keep him happy. Crates are not an option with this little Houdini. If you have the home that Cody longs for, please check out the link below or contact AWSOM at (570) 421-DOGS. Thank you! http://www.awsomanimals.org/Cody.html

ADOPTION EVENT: AMERICAN CANDLE “Candles for Canines and Kitties”
Don't miss spending time with our AWSOM animals on Saturday, August 28th, 11AM to 3PM at the American Candle Shop on Rt. 611 Bartonsville. Come meet the Angels of AWSOM and go into the last of the summer with a new companion for many seasons to come! Discount adoption rates are in effect and “instant” adoptions are available with a vet reference. Share your love, your home and your heart. Check out our events page here:
www.awsomanimals.com/Events.html

STROUDFEST IS BACK ON SEPTEMBER 4TH
AWSOM will be down on Main Street with all our four-legged friends. This is a biggie! Join us for the fun and fur. Can't wait to see all of you there between 11 A.M. and 5 P.M. Remember, we will be looking for you on Main Street, downtown Stroudsburg. Don't miss our events page: www.awsomanimals.com/Events.html

VOTE FOR THE REAL HOUSEPETS OF MONROE COUNTY
Vote daily through August 25th for your favorite Housepet of Monroe County. Browse the photos and keep coming back everyday to vote for the pet you think deserves the title of THE Real Housepet of Monroe County! (of course, we think they are ALL winners!!) Click here to vote: http://www.awsomanimals.org/Real_Housepets_Voting.html

LONGTIME SHELTER RESIDENT “BLAZE” FINDS A WARM HOME
Things weren't going so hot for Blaze, a beautiful German Shepherd/Chow mix. When his family was forced to give him up, he found himself at the AWSOM shelter. Blaze loved his three-times-daily walks, hugs and treats from shelter staff and volunteers. And he was thankful for a temporary home at AWSOM. But after four months at the shelter he was sick of watching other dogs get adopted while he remained. Then one day Blaze's photo on AwsomAnimals.org caught the eye of a little boy named Nick. The rest, as they say, is history. Blaze now lives happily ever after with Nick and his family, who have reported back that Blaze is "The best dog ever!" And Blaze asked us to remind you to take a look at the many adoptable dogs and cats on the AWSOM website: http://www.awsomanimals.org/ Your "best dog or cat ever" might be waiting there for you, too.

AWSOM ADOPTION STATS: Since opening on November 14, 2009, the
AWSOM shelter has taken in 320 cats, 403 dogs, 6 ferrets, 4 cockatiels, 4
parakeets, 3 guinea pigs and 9 rabbits. We have adopted out (or reunited with owner) 235 cats, 378 dogs, 6 ferrets, 4 cockatiels, 4 parakeets, 3 guinea pigs and 9 rabbits. That’s a total adoption rate of 85%! And we’re not stopping until every AWSOM animal finds a loving, forever home.

AWSOM Paw-Gress Report                   Vol. 3         1/4/10

shelter news…AWSOM has hired two additional shelter attendants, doubling the already fabulous care and attention given to each and every AWSOM animal.

AND A PITBULL IN A PEAR TREE…  Christmas came early for many AWSOM animals thanks to the 12 Strays of Christmas featured on WBRE News. A different needy animal was highlighted for 12 consecutive nightly newscasts, introducing viewers to some of our most adoptable animals. Many thanks to Kristi Capel and the WBRE News staff whose hard work, time and compassion opened the door to many adoption opportunities at this most critical time of year. Check it out online:

http://pahomepage.com/content/features/12_strays_of_christmas/

it’s playtime for cats! Our AWSOM cats are really living it up these days thanks to the all-new cat room in the shelter house. Now kitties can stretch their legs, climb, scratch and kick up their paws in their own private play room, free from the barking, cages and chaos of the shelter building. A rotating schedule makes sure everyone gets a turn to play. Visit the AWSOM shelter on Godfrey Ridge Road in Stroudsburg to meet our sweet, cuddly kitties! 

SOONER IS FEELING BETTER THAN EVER!

When the PA Department on Aging called AWSOM about a dog in an elderly woman’s home, we had no idea what to expect. Turns out the home was in deplorable condition, and the woman wasn’t the only one in need of proper health care. Sooner, an 11 year old male standard poodle, was in desperate need of medical attention. Our friends at East Stroudsburg Veterinary Hospital carefully shaved Sooner down to the skin and trimmed his nails, which were so long they circled around twice. They surgically removed the tumor on his head, which was thankfully benign. Soon, Sooner was on the road to recovery. And his positive attitude and zest for living have won us all over! Not only is Sooner very happy and playful, but you’d never guess he’s 11 years old. If you’d like to give Sooner a loving forever home, email AWSOM at info@AwsomAnimals.org or call (570) 421-DOGS.

SARP bringing animals in from the cold At this most frigid time of year, Stroud Area Region Police officers are out and about in all kinds of weather, keeping our streets safe. And they’re not alone out there—the numbers of stray dogs being brought to the AWSOM shelter has nearly doubled. Not only are these animals cold and homeless, but many are dangerously thin and desperate for food and water (which is often frozen and undrinkable). Once at AWSOM these animals find a warm bed, plenty of food and water and caring staff and volunteers who see to their every need until their adoption day. But we can’t do all this good work without the necessary funds to keep the shelter open. If you’d like to donate in support of our most needy AWSOM animals, please email Donations@AwsomAnimals.org

BECOME AN AWSOM MEMBER! Be on the lookout for some AWSOM mail arriving in your mailbox as we launch our first membership drive on January 5^th, 2010. Community involvement is the key to keeping the shelter open to animals in need. Your AWSOM membership helps us supply the food, warmth, and veterinary services that are so vital to keeping needy animals healthy and adoptable. Membership includes a quarterly e-newsletter, discounts at select AWSOM events, and a FREE AWSOM car magnet.

If you would like become an AWSOM member and don’t receive a mailing, visit our website at AwsomAnimals.org or call Jeannie Lee at 620-9811. (VISA and Paypal are now accepted.)

AWSOM ADOPTION STATS: Since opening on November 14, 2009, the AWSOM shelter has admitted 66 cats, 69 dogs, 5 guinea pigs and 1 rabbit. We have adopted out 38 cats, 45 dogs, 5 guinea pigs and 1 rabbit. That’s a total adoption rate of 63%! And we’re not stopping until every animal finds a loving, forever home.