'Art for Animals' a Big SuccessA two-week-long fund raiser for the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) ended on a festive note Friday evening, May 27, as supporters of the nonprofit organization gathered at the Artfully Framed gallery in Poplar Bluff for a reception and one last chance to bid on 54 original paintings by local artists. The affair netted $3,500 for AWA. “We are so grateful to the artists, the bidders and to Barbara Pelton,” said AWA president Charlotte W. Craig. “The financial result is wonderful. But better yet, the whole process was fun for everyone! We definitely want to do this again next spring.” Pelton, proprietor of Artfully Framed, proposed the event, recruited the artists, provided low-cost 5-by-7-inch canvases and framing for each of the paintings and posted the entries on the store’s Facebook page. Restaurant owner Herman Styles provided dinner tickets to Colton’s Steak House as prizes for artists getting top bids. A bird portrait by nationally known wildlife artist Kathy Dickson garnered the highest bid at $250. Ted Tackett’s cosmic portrait of planets and comets received the highest number of bids at 14. Recognized as “most seasoned” artist was Pauline French, 96; “newest rising star” among the painters was two-year-old Dillon Lambert. The AWA spends up to $650 a month on its programs (vaccinations for puppies in the city pound and $25 to $50 vouchers for low-income pet owners to help with spay/neuter costs). In addition, the group plans to build a no-kill animal shelter to serve Butler, Ripley, Carter and Wayne County residents.
The Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri is registered with state and federal authorities as a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. tax code. The purpose of the Poplar Bluff-based organization is to foster a spirit of cooperation among all public and private animal care organizations and agencies in the area, to encourage and support the adoption, neutering and spaying of pets and to provide shelter for abandoned animals.
AWA ASSISTS IN FLOOD RESCUE Thursday, May 5, marked the end of a 12-day ordeal of catastrophic flooding for residents of the Poplar Bluff (MO) area, with broken levees and water from both the Black and St. Francis Rivers washing hundreds, if not thousands, of people from their homes in search of shelter. The Animal Welfare Alliance, in conjunction with the Butler County Health Department, established an emergency pet shelter in Poplar Bluff’s Black River Coliseum for the hundreds of people who had to bunk down on cots in the main auditorium there. While the American Red Cross and the United Gospel Rescue Mission took care of the folks, AWA volunteers and Health Department personnel took care of the pets in an adjoining cargo area of the building. The twin shelters opened on Easter Sunday night. At the height of the crisis, there were more than 100 dogs and cats and one ferret in cages in the pet shelter. All the animals were stressed by being displaced from their homes and separated from their owners; some had never been in cages before; some had never been walked on a leash; barking was nonstop. AWA volunteers responded magnificently, working themselves to exhaustion. The community at large responded as well, donating bags of dog and cat food. Several pet owners housed in the human shelter pitched in to help clean cages and walk dogs, even though the rain was constant and there were multiple tornado alerts that sent everyone into the interior hallways of the Coliseum. Coliseum management was extremely supportive and helpful, as were Animal Control Officers of the Poplar Bluff Police Department. Teen volunteers from AmeriCorps also helped with hours of work. AWA volunteers, in addition to doing a pile of paperwork to keep track of who owned what animal -- and when each dog had been walked -- took turns spending the night on cots in the pet shelter to make sure the animals were safe, unmolested and contained. (The ferret did get out through the bars of his cage one night, which made for a merry chase.) The Humane Society of Missouri came down from St. Louis at mid-week and set up an auxiliary pet shelter for animals that had been picked up at large in flood areas. That relieved some of the pressure on the Coliseum shelter, taking that population down to a more manageable 65 animals. By the end of the week, people in the human shelter were able to return to their soggy homes, taking their pets with them. The Humane Society returned to St. Louis. All seemed to be getting back to normal. But the weekend brought more torrential rain, sending Lake Wappapello (fed by the St. Francis River) over its emergency spillway for the first time since 1945 and making it necessary to release more water from Clearwater Lake into Black River to avoid a dam failure there. Many of the same people displaced a few days earlier were literally back in the same boat. This time, the Coliseum was committed to another event. So a human shelter was set up at the Methodist Church on Main Street in Poplar Bluff. The pet shelter was a large tent set up in the church parking lot. Fortunately, the press of people and pets was lighter for the shelters, as many of the flood victims had found temporary quarters with friends and relatives in locations outside the flood area. The human shelter had 30 or 40 residents; the pet shelter had about eight. Nevertheless, the same procedures applied. Each pet was registered in; cages were cleaned regularly; dogs were walked regularly; someone from either the AWA or the Butler County Health Department spent the night to make sure every animal was safe and secure. Teen volunteers from AmeriCorps also helped with night duty. Finally, on Thursday, May 5, Health Department personnel were able to fold up their tent, pack away the other emergency equipment and close down the pet shelter. AWA signed a contract with the Health Department last summer (2010) to operate an emergency pet shelter, with the Health Department providing the equipment and AWA providing the volunteer personnel. This spring’s flood was the first test of that arrangement. “I can’t say enough thanks to the Health Department and all the other agencies and city officials who helped out,” said AWA President Charlotte W. Craig. “A salute, too, to folks in the community who contributed time and food. “But my biggest thank-you goes to the volunteers in AWA,” she concluded. “This was truly AWA’s finest hour, and I’ve never been prouder to be part of an organization.
Second Annual Howling At The Moon AWA Says Thanks for a Big Success Letter to the Editor: “Thank you” seems too little to say to all the wonderful people who supported the “Howling at the Moon” party to benefit the Animal Welfare Alliance on Nov. 5 at the Black River Coliseum. Through the hard work of our board members and volunteers, the support of our sponsors and the approximately 200 good folks who bought tickets, the AWA made more than $10,000 on the event -- a record for us! As customary with our donations, half will go into our current projects (vaccinations for pound puppies and vouchers for low-income pet owners to help them with spay/neuter costs). The other half will go into our building fund for eventual construction of a no-kill animal shelter to serve people in Butler, Ripley, Wayne and Carter Counties who rescue stray dogs and cats. A special “thank you” to Thin Blue Line, the fabulous band that donated its peerless talents for the evening. The success of “Howling at the Moon” has put us a lot closer to breaking ground for our own shelter. The generous people in this area rule! Charlotte W. Craig Corporate sponsors: GOLD - The Dermatology Office, recently relocated to Poplar Bluff Medical Park SILVER - Coffman & Company, Your CPA BRONZE - Ripley County Veterinary Service (Dr. R. Eugene Fox and staff) Table sponsors: Home Service Oil Co. (Bill Poe and staff) HEALTH DEPT., AWAVOLUNTEERS
May not display in Firefox POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (Oct. 1, 2010) --- Butler County Health Department personnel and volunteers from the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) unpacked the county’s new Disaster Animal Response Trailer (DART) on Friday to inventory the trailer contents and erect the big tent designed to be used as an emergency pet shelter in case of a natural disaster. The DART, provided by the federal Department of Homeland Security, is the property of the Health Department but will be operated by the AWA in the event of a large-scale area flood, ice storm, tornado or other emergency. It will be set up as near as possible to any building designated as the main emergency shelter for humans, allowing families to find help for their pets as well as themselves. The DART trailer contains a large dome-style tent, cages and other equipment that will accommodate 75 to 100 dogs and cats. Butler County Health Department Director Robert Hudson also recently obtained four smaller tents that can be set up nearby for office space, a quarantine area and other special needs during an emergency. While it took several hours to assemble the complex dome tent for the first time, Hudson and AWA President Charlotte W. Craig said there will be set-up training drills every six months or so. “The process should get easier with practice,” said Craig. Butler County is one of six entities in this area recently to be granted a DART; the other five are Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Ripley and Pemiscot Counties and the City of Caruthersville. Persons needing more details about the DART can call the Butler County Health Department at (573) 785-8478 during regular business hours. The Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri, formed in the fall of 2008, is registered with state and federal authorities as a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. tax code. The purpose of the Poplar Bluff-based organization is to foster a spirit of cooperation among all public and private animal care organizations and agencies in the area, to encourage and support the adoption, neutering and spaying of pets and to provide shelter for abandoned animals. The AWA recently acquired access to a parcel of land in Poplar Bluff, where it plans to build a no-kill animal shelter. To donate to that project, to learn more about AWA activities, or to enlist as a volunteer, visit the organization’s Website at www.awasemo.org. Photos from the Whiteley Park Adoption Event Oct 2, 20106 dogs/puppies and 4 cats/kittens adopted out.
The little girl being licked by a puppy says it all!
NEW TRAILER TO HELP PETS DURING AREA DISASTERS POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (Sept. 23, 2010) --- When a flood, a big ice storm or a tornado strikes, victims have a hard enough time finding shelter for themselves. But what about their pets? Facilities providing emergency shelter for humans often are unable to accept family pets because of health and safety concerns. The Butler County Health Department now has an answer to that problem in the form of a DART -- a Disaster Animal Rescue Trailer provided by the regional oversight committee for the federal Department of Homeland Security. The DART trailer contains a large tent, cages and other equipment that will accommodate 75 to 100 dogs and cats. According to Butler County Health Department Director Robert Hudson, the tent will be set up as close as possible to any main human shelter during a local emergency or natural disaster. Victims making use of the DART will not be charged a fee. The Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA), a Poplar Bluff-based nonprofit organization, will assume operational responsibility for the DART during a disaster. “This is a huge responsibility; it’s a bit intimidating. But we’ve met so many challenges in our first two years of existence -- and we have such wonderful volunteers -- I believe we can get the job done in an emergency,” said AWA President Charlotte W. Craig, of Fairdealing. Butler County Health Department personnel and volunteers from AWA will conduct a set-up training drill and will inventory the contents of the DART on Friday, Oct. 1, on the lawn behind the Health Department headquarters on North Main Street in Poplar Bluff. Members of the media and other interested parties are invited to see the DART at 2 p.m. that day. The trailer and contents will remain the property of the Butler County Health Department. AWA will conduct DART refresher training drills a couple of times each year. Butler County is one of six entities in this area recently to be granted a DART; the other five are Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Ripley and Pemiscot Counties and the City of Caruthersville. Persons needing more details about the DART can call the Butler County Health Department at (573) 785-8478 during regular business hours. The Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri, formed in the fall of 2008, is registered with state and federal authorities as a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. tax code. The purpose of the Poplar Bluff-based organization is to foster a spirit of cooperation among all public and private animal care organizations and agencies in the area, to encourage and support the adoption, neutering and spaying of pets and to provide shelter for abandoned animals. The AWA recently acquired access to a parcel of land in Poplar Bluff, where it plans to build a no-kill animal shelter. To donate to that project, to learn more about AWA activities, or to enlist as a volunteer, visit the organization’s Website at www.awasemo.org. Poplar Bluff Pet Adoption Event PowerPoint Presentation link is below. This PowerPoint show was prepared by Purina. Click here for Pet Adoption Event PPT Show Update to Pet Adoption Fair Sept 11th.
Despite terrific heat and congestion, the crew at the Walmart off-site adoption event worked like slaves and turned in a terrific tally: 9 dogs and 2 kittens at Walmart, with 2 more kittens later at the shelter for a grand total of 13 Adoptions for the day! Thanks to everybody who helped and the morning cleaning crew at the shelter! PET DOPTION FAIR AT WAL-MART SEPT. 11, 2010 Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) will co-host a pound-pet adoption fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 at the Poplar Bluff Walmart store on South Westwood Boulevard. A Purina representative will be present to give out pet trinkets and discount coupons for Purina dog and cat food brands. AWA volunteers will have dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at the store from the Poplar Bluff Animal Shelter (city pound). The animals, most of which have not had recent veterinary care, will be available for adoption for $5 to $10; adopting individuals sign a contract promising to have the pet spayed or neutered. (AWA will have application forms for spay-neuter financial aid for low-income pet owners.) The nonprofit AWA helps out at the Poplar Bluff Animal Shelter on Saturdays trying to increase the number of adoptions at the pound. The group holds off-site adoption events about once a month at parks or commercial locations around Poplar Bluff. Many thanks to all those who helped make AWA's
Aug. 21, 2010 pancake breakfast at Applebee's restaurant a big success. We cleared about $3,000 on the morning, thanks to generous supporters, the management of Applebee's in Poplar Bluff, super young folks from Sacred Heart School and many hard working board members and volunteers. (Special thanks to volunteer Dorothea Lasley, who sold about $700 worth of tickets! Incredible!) Helpers knew they had a hit on their hands when they had to make a run to a nearby supermarket for more pancake mix. Several diners -- and many supporters who couldn't attend -- made generous extra donations, for which we are very grateful. AWA was lucky with its timing; we understand Applebee's won't be able to sponsor any more pancake breakfast fund raisers in the future. A shame; but we applaud their impressive record of support for community organizations.
AWA TO HOST PANCAKE BREAKFAST Fill your tummy and help the Animal Welfare Alliance fill its bank account at an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 at Applebee’s in Poplar Bluff. Diners get pancakes, bacon, coffee and juice all for just $5. Service starts at 8 a.m. and lasts until 9:45 a.m. Applebee’s is on South Westwood Boulevard (Business Route 67) near the U.S. 53 intersection. Tickets are available from AWA volunteers or can be bought at the door. Proceeds will be used for the non-profit’s animal welfare projects and for construction of a no-kill animal shelter.
Members and supporters of the Animal Welfare Alliance gathered at Keener Springs north of Poplar Bluff (MO) on Saturday, June 5, 2010 for a fundraiser. The setting was spectacular and the weather beautiful. Keener gushes abouit 28 million gallons of water a day into Black River. A huge cave about 100 yards beyond the spring is equally spectacular. AWA Hits Adoption Jackpot at 2010 Ag Expo The annual Ag Expo agricultural exhibit at Poplar Bluff’s Black River Coliseum drew thousands of folks on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22 and 23. And with the permission of the P.B. Police Department and Ag Expo officials, the Animal Welfare Alliance took 13 dogs and puppies to Expo from the city pound. Every single one of them got adopted! That was a thrill for the homeless critters and for the AWA volunteers who staffed the adoption table, loaned their dog pens, cleaned up the inevitable messes and hauled the animals back and forth from the shelter. Icing on the cake: AWA volunteers staffing the city shelter that Saturday adopted out one dog and one cat, even though we had left them with slim pickings. That brought our adoption total for the Friday/Saturday weekend to 15 animals! The tally included several grown dogs who had been hard to place and whose time was running out at the shelter. It was a gratifying weekend.
Company Donates Sign to AWA4M Sign Service & Design, of Poplar Bluff, has donated a weatherproof sign to the Animal Welfare Alliance for use during the group’s pet adoption days. The AWA staffs the Poplar Bluff Animal Shelter on a volunteer basis on Saturdays to help increase the number of pet adoptions from that facility. The non-profit organization also occasionally takes “pound puppies” to commercial locations around town to encourage adoptions. Carol Marler, center, co-owner of 4M Sign, is flanked by employees Justin Hoon, left, of Poplar Bluff, and Lacey McClintock, right, of Wappapello.
If there is anything you can contribute to help the lives of the animals, please do so, either a monetary or a physical contribution. Please visit our Wishlist page. We also now have a Memorial page where you can place an This is a wonderful way to give a public and worldly recognition to your loving pet who has passed away. A nice Birthday, Wedding, Graduation, or Christmas gift for someone too. Also with your donations, we will also be able to maintain a low cost spay and neuter clinic for those who cannot afford to spay or neuter their pets. Thank you again for all your support. Bark in the Park June 20th, 2009Click Here for the YouTube Video of
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There are two ways to help the animals! or send a check or money order to: Animal Welfare Alliance of SE Missouri is a Missouri Non-Profit Corporation. Donations are Tax Deductible under section
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