Company Donates Sign to AWA
4M 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
In Memory' or 'In Honor Of'
donation.
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.
Howling at the Moon
2nd Annual Fall Benefit
Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri
Bloodworth House
626 Cynthia Street
Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Admission $25 per person
Bark in the Park June 20th, 2009
‘Bark in the Park’ a success
To the Editor,
Many thanks are due those who made the June 20, 2009 First Annual “Bark in the Park” event a success for the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA).
First on the list are all those who participated, despite brutal heat and humidity. Thanks to their spirit and dedication – and thanks to many generous donors – the event netted more than $1,000 for the AWA and its programs.
A big thank-you to all the veterinarians in Poplar Bluff and Fairdealing – especially Hillcrest Animal Hospital, which donated a spay or neuter operation for our raffle. Thanks, too, to John Schlitt, Kmart, Kroger’s, Calhoun’s, Ben Bennett at Castello’s, The Eatery, Orscheln’s, Poplar Bluff Wellness Clinic, and Key Drugs for their financial or in-kind support.
Many volunteer helpers went above and beyond in their efforts: Dr. Jack Rushin and his DeMolay chapter, including Aaron Henderson, R.J. Rushin, Tanner French and Jake Francis; face painters Macy Coleman, Amy Walden, and Allison Walden; artist Laura Clark, who drew pet sketches; Christy Maurer, who suffered the heat in a clown suit, and Steve Whitworth, who supervised the two races with the able help of Roy Lowe and Cliff Morris.
Special thanks to Kimberley Conaway for all her hard work, to John Holland for organizing the races, to Greg Riggs of the Park Department, and to AWA’s own Jeff Walker, who was brilliant as roving emcee.
Congratulations are in order for the first three finishers in each of the foot races. Jesse McElroy, Cindy Breitkopf and Rickie Taylor took honors – with their dogs – in the 0.9-mile “Dog Trot.” Jared Hicks, Laura Bowman and Micky Gumm finished one, two, three in the more serious 3.2-mile race (sans dogs).
We must not forget to mention that Daily American Republic “snapper” Corey Matthews did a superior job photographing the event.
We look forward to doing it again next year – but in a cooler month!
Charlotte W. Craig
AWA President
Dr. Dorothy Munch
AWA Vice President
DOG SHOW PARTY A SUCCESS FOR AWA
March 12, 2009
The Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) has begun a new program to help low-income pet owners pay for spaying or neutering their dogs and cats.
“Offering this kind of help was one of our primary goals when we started the Alliance last fall. We are pleased that we can launch the program this soon,” said
Dr. Dorothy Munch, of Poplar Bluff, AWA Vice President and chair of the group’s spay/neuter committee.
“It’s so sad to see puppies and kittens dumped on the roadside or left at the city animal shelter. The only way to reduce the number of unwanted animals is to spay or neuter all dogs and cats not intended for breeding,” Dr. Munch continued. “But in the current economy, many pet owners can’t afford an operation for a pet.”
Under the new program, the AWA will give vouchers worth $50 to five pet owners each month who meet income guidelines. Applicants can live in either Butler or Ripley County (the program may be expanded to other counties in the future). Costs for spaying and neutering at area veterinary clinics range from $40 to $159, depending on the size of the pet and whether it is a cat or dog, a male or a female.
Pet owners seeking financial assistance for spaying or neutering can get application forms at Hillcrest, Hicks and Parks veterinary clinics in Poplar Bluff and at Ripley County Veterinary Service in Fairdealing. The forms also are available at the Poplar Bluff, Doniphan and Naylor Public Libraries; at Key Drugs, Pet Oasis, Pets R Us, and PetsWay stores in Poplar Bluff, and on our website.
Applicants will send their completed forms, along with a copy of last year’s tax return (or other proof of income) back to the AWA at the address on the application form. An AWA committee then will review the applications and pick five voucher recipients each month. Vouchers will be limited to one per family per month. Applicants who are not chosen in one month can be held over to the next month, if they qualify.
“A big thank-you goes out to area veterinarians for agreeing to participate in this program,” said Dr. Munch. “They feel the same way we do about reducing the number of unwanted cats and dogs.”
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
POPLAR BLUFF, MO., Feb. 18, 2009 --- Cheers echoed through Jim & Jerry’s Restaurant Pub in downtown Poplar Bluff on a recent night as patrons raised money for the Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) and rooted for their favorites in the televised Westminster Dog Show. The combined dog show-watching party and fund raiser took place Tuesday, Feb. 10, and brought in almost $2,700 to the newly formed AWA.
“We owe a big thank-you to Jerry McClure and Jim Vernon for hosting the party and to Speedy Ketcherside for running the auction,” said Donna Stott, of Poplar Bluff, an AWA board member who organized the fund raiser. “The people who donated auction items – and the bidders – were extremely generous. This money will pay for a lot of spaying and neutering operations,” Stott added.
The AWA will announce soon a program to help underwrite spaying and neutering costs for low-income pet owners. The group, formed about six months ago, has begun staffing the Poplar Bluff Animal Shelter on alternating Saturdays to increase adoptions of the cats and dogs there. Upcoming dates are Feb. 21, March 7 and March 21. AWA volunteers and donors also have bought beds for the shelter animals.
The Animal Welfare Alliance of Southeast Missouri is registered with state authorities as a nonprofit organization based in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Its purpose 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. For more information on AWA activities, visit the organization’s Website, www.awasemo.org. Federal 501(c)3 tax-exempt status pending.
The AWA of SE Missouri has donated Kuranda Beds to the Shelter so the Animals do not have to sleep on the cold floor. We received all of our requests for beds but If you would like to donate funds future bed replacement or something else, please see more info on our Wishlist page.
Our First Adoption Day at the Poplar Bluff Animal Shelter was a Success on December 20th and 27th, 2008. More Saturday Adoption Days in Feb and March. See the Poplar Bluff City Guide for the dates in March.
Dorothea Lasley brought half a dozen plush dog beds she had made herself and gave them away to adopting families, a lovely and much appreciated gesture. Thank you Dorothea!
AN EVENING RECEPTION AND ART EXHIBIT was held October 10, 2008 in the Black River Art Gallery , at the corner of Vine and Fifth Streets in downtown Poplar Bluff . Wildlife and animal art by several area artists was on exhibit and selected items were for sale along with an auction of artwork and other animal related items.
Animal Welfare Alliance November News
The fundraiser we had in October gave us a jumpstart in our funds so we can proceed forward.
We are obtaining all required insurance and permits so we can actively begin assisting at the Poplar Bluff City Animal Shelter and other things we would like to perform.
We are closely working with the Poplar Bluff Police Department and we will be setting up a training program when we receive enough volunteers. If you would like to volunteer on a Saturday or Sunday, please complete the Contact Form on our Contact page. We need volunteers to help adopt out the animals, feed and water them, foster the weak or recuperating and any donations you would like to give the shelter. Please see our Donation link. Training will cover feeding, watering, processing adoptions and the basic operating rules and precautions at the Poplar Bluff City Animal Shelter.
NEW ANIMAL WELFARE GROUP FORMED
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. --- Dismayed at the lack of a humane society-type of organization in Poplar Bluff and surrounding counties, a group of local residents has taken action.
The new Animal Welfare Alliance (AWA) took shape this month, electing officers and setting the date for its initial fund raising event. Organizers are in the process of applying for 501(c)3 federal nonprofit tax status and soon will file similar registration with the state.
“I think all of us on the board of directors got tired of rescuing abandoned dogs and cats and having nowhere to take them,” said AWA president Charlotte Wolpers Craig, of Fairdealing. “Most city-operated shelters can take only animals found within their city limits and are usually full anyway. There’s a real need for more shelter options.”
Dr. Dorothy Munch, of Poplar Bluff , co-founded the organization and serves as vice president. “We hope eventually to establish a shelter of our own, but that will take quite a while. In the meantime,” said Munch, “we will actively support the adoption, neutering and spaying of pets.”
The group’s first fund raising event will be an evening reception and art exhibit in the Black River Art Gallery , at the corner of Vine and Fifth Streets in downtown Poplar Bluff . The display will feature wildlife and animal art by several area artists. Selected items will be for sale and there will be a brief auction.
The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, with live music and hors d’oeuvres provided by The Scott-Walker Eatery. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling (573) 686-3111. Dress is business casual.
A primary purpose of the AWA, according to organizers, is to foster a spirit of cooperation among veterinary clinics and all public and private animal care agencies in the area. As a beginning project, the group hopes to work with Poplar Bluff city officials on a volunteer basis to expand pet adoption hours at the city shelter. “We’re in the talking stage right now, but we’re optimistic about putting together a plan in the next couple of months,” said Craig.
Treasurer of the Animal Welfare Alliance is Julita Michel; secretary is Nancy Strack Abernathy. Both are Poplar Bluff residents.
Other members of the board of directors are Grace Blaich, John Holland, Joyanne Githens Cunningham, Jeff Walker, Mary Anne Rathe, Gina Cagle, Linda Curtis, Carla Letassy, Carol Swain Lewis, Nancy Segall, Karen Coleman, Claudette Newkirk and Lori Hansbrough, all of Poplar Bluff.
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