Volunteer Highlight:
Jesse Madison

Jesse helps our clinic by cutting surgery drapes

Growing up surrounded by animals, Jesse Madison always knew that someday he would like to work with the furry creatures full-time. He’s not sure exactly what career path he’s going to take yet, but at 19 years old, he still has time to figure it all out. In the meantime, he’s glad to be gaining valuable experience volunteering at the shelter. Logging in around 20 hours a week, volunteering here has been Jesse’s part-time job for the last six or seven months.

Jesse says he “loves animals,” and is ready and willing to help out wherever he’s needed. Shredding newspapers for the cats, helping with newsletter mailings – you name it, he’s done it. Recently promoted to the clinic, there he can be found cleaning out cages, filling rabies vaccines, and cutting drapes for surgery. Singing his praises, Jo Hickey said “He’s a hard worker and really concentrates on his assigned duties.” Fellow volunteer Floyd Rogers also enjoys working with “Mr. Quiet,” as Jo fondly calls him. Jesse and Floyd worked together on fixing the cat furniture. Jesse can be a little shy at first, but Floyd says, “When you get to know him, you can get him to cut up a little and loosen up. He’s really easy to get along with.”

While working in the clinic, Jesse met Tablet, a sweet, grey haired tabby cat recovering from a leg injury. Jesse decided to give Tablet a home with him. Jesse reports that he is settling in just fine. Tablet is a bit of a night owl and enjoys running around his bed at 11 o’clock. Jesse loves hanging out in the cat rooms, sitting on the floor and visiting with them – but don’t be fooled, he is an equal opportunity animal lover. When asked which kind of pet he prefers, he told us that he likes dogs too.

Art Unleashed brings together art lovers and animal lovers for a live and silent auction featuring more than 200 pieces of original, pet-themed artwork. You don’t have to be a Picasso to help out! If you have any pet-themed works of art that you would like to donate, we would love to take them off your hands. Paintings, sculptures and mixed media are appreciated. Artwork is due Friday, August 8.

To donate, please contact Jo and she will connect you with an Art Unleashed art chair person.

For animal lovers, the Kansas City Pet Expo was the place to be during weekend of April 19th. The shelter’s booth was one of the most happening hangouts. We’re still processing all the adoption applications we received, but we think about four dogs will be going to new homes. The “Wheel O’ Fun” was a huge hit -- it raised over $1,300 for the shelter pets. That’s nearly double what we raised last year!

"Howard" made many new friends!

A great big thanks goes out to the volunteers that helped make this event a success! Eva Allen, Mary Alice Blew, Lori Brown, Jeri Couch, Ayanna Curran, Darlene Ferguson, Dale Ferguson, Jon Fizette, Carol Gillihan, Mary Gillihan, Silvia Gunter, Amanda Harris, Melissa Horton, Amy Hurst, Janice Katz, Ali Kelly, Coleen Kent, Joe Koening, Sandy Koening, Alyssa Koinzan, Sara Lienau, Lisa and David McGee, Lynn McMinnville, Ally McNitt, Crissy Overcash, Jeff Pierson, Andrew, Caitlin, and Jana Raw, Angela Ray, Amber Rayl, Stacy Reeves, Floyd Rogers, Barbara Roy, Ricky and Nicole Setticase, DJ Turner, Sherri Wells, Chuck Williams, and Marcia Wood.

Dog-N- Jog Volunteers: We are recruiting volunteers for Dog-n-Jog. Volunteers are needed to help with pre-registration on Thursday, June 5, Saturday, June 7, and day of registration on June 8. Other opportunities to get involved include being a race monitor, handing out bottles of water to the thirsty runners and dogs, and of course, the stinky, but necessary job of cleaning up after the animals. Volunteers will need to arrive between 6 and 6:30 a.m. But, you will only have to volunteer until 11 a.m. at the latest – and the rest of your day will be free! If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jo at 913.596.1000 x 22.

Corporate Pet Pals: There’s still time for companies to have their logo included on our official Dog-n-Jog t-shirt. For a donation of $500, your company will be recognized as an official sponsor on all 1,300 Dog-n-Jog volunteer t-shirts.

In addition, we will give your company 20 race entries to use however you wish. So, volunteers: be sure to ask your employer today about becoming a Corporate Pet Pal - before time runs out! The deadline to become a Corporate Pet Pal Sponsor is May 2.

Visit www.dognjog.org to register online or to download a paper entry form to mail in. If you have any questions about this fantastic promotional opportunity, give Robin a call at 913-596-1000 x 14.

The next time you’re at the grocery store, could you pick up a case of bottle water and bring it to the shelter? We need 50 cases of bottled water for Dog-n-Jog.

As many of you know, our dogs go through a lot of biscuits learning manners with volunteers. Any dry biscuits small to medium in size are perfect for using as training treats. We go through quite a few and could use some help replenishing our stash! So the next time you are out shopping, lend us a hand and pick up a bag or two of dry biscuits and bring them into the shelter.

For a list of other items and services we need, check out our Sit Up and Beg Wish List.

Volunteer Silvia Gunter with Dustin, Clarence & Clover

PETCO
Two Saturdays, May 3 & May 17
95th & Quivira in Overland Park
11am to 3pm
We bring several dogs and a few cats. Indoors.

VINCA'S DAY IN THE PARK
Sunday, May 18
Penn Valley Dog Park
4-7pm
Fundraiser for us put on by Boozefish and Three Dog Bakery. We'll bring a small group of adult dogs.

PRAIRIE VILLAGE ART SHOW
Friday thru Sunday, May 30-June 1
Prairie Village Shops
Volunteer Shift Hours:
Friday: 4:45pm til about 9pm
Saturday 1st shift: 10:30am to 2pm
Saturday 2nd shift: 2pm to 5pm plus load time
Sunday: 10:45am to 3pm plus load time
We'll be outside under our tent and we'll be bringing dogs, no cats.

We’d like to welcome our newest group of volunteers into the family: Diana Baker, Elisha Grange, Alex Fennel, Amy Hurst, Lindsey Holmgren, Peyton Mehrer, Jeanene Mehrer, and Susan Yeager-Chowning.

Diana Baker, Amy Hurst and Elisha Grange have already come in to volunteer with us. If you haven’t come in yet, don’t be shy - we love showing new volunteers the ropes. We look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Arty, Cooper, Francine, Lacy, Larry & Pumpkin (together!),

Howard, Margueritte, Mariana, Nisa, Ollie, Roxie...and more!