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!  

Flame loving the new cat room!               Smokey relaxing in his new room!                   Flame with volunteer Anna.

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.