Volunteer Spotlight:
Leo Mendoza

Leo Mendoza is a new volunteer at the shelter. He came to the shelter through YouthBuild, a leadership and education program he is part of. Though he is relatively new around here, everyone knows his name and appreciates his dedication to helping the animals. He volunteers every day but Thursday and Sunday, and when he’s in, he does office work such as mailing newsletters, and clinic work such as laundry, filling syringes, and cleaning. His hard work is treasured because he takes on the challenging hard-to-do tasks with a positive attitude and a willingness to help.

Leo says that his favorite part about volunteering is seeing the animals benefit from his work. He also enjoys seeing our shelter pets find their forever homes and get adopted to new families.

Leo will be volunteering with us until the end of August so next time you’re volunteering or stopping by the shelter, make sure to thank Leo for his hard work.

This week, we need laundry detergent and bleach. Due to the large volume of laundry we do at the shelter each day, we go through detergent and bleach very quickly so we are asking for donations of any kind of bleach and or laundry soap.

In addition to the detergent, we are also seeking dog treats such as rawhides, large Nylabones, and chew bones of all kinds. With the summer heat, dogs may not be able to enjoy the outdoors as much so these toys/treats keep them busy and happy.

For a list of other items and services we need, please check out our Sit Up and Beg Wish List. All of these items go to helping our cause become more successful and our animals’ lives become more enjoyable.

Buy your tickets today for the Bark at The K on the Royals web site. Bark at the K is Sunday, September 27. It’s the only day of the year when you can bring your dog to a Royals game.

Our goal is to have 500 dogs attend. Proceeds benefit the HSGKC, Wayside Waifs and Halfway Home Pet Adoptions.

What is better than volunteering at an animal shelter? Volunteering with a friend, of course! We want to expand our volunteer base, so if you know someone who would be a great Humane Society volunteer, send them our way. Referrals are the best way to get more volunteers in the shelter.

Our next volunteer orientation meeting is scheduled Saturday, August 8 at 10 am - noon. Email Jo for more information or to reserve a seat.

"Kola" is one of the many pets saved by the Ray of Hope program. She's recovering at our shelter after being hit by a car and taken to the city shelter.

The Ray of Hope program is saving an average of 50 animals every week. Now seven months into the program, we are fully realizing the total cost of saving Animal Control pets and making Wyandotte County a no kill county: $5,000 to $7,000 a month. We are committed to continuing this program, but need your help in finding the donations to support it. Be part of the solution and create your own fundraising webpage by going to www.firstgiving.com/hsgkc and share the Ray of Hope story with all your animal-loving friends. Thank you to Crissy McNellis – the first volunteer to create a firstgiving webpage for Ray of Hope.

Dog quilt by Terri Hemmerling, one of the many art pieces at this year's auction.

We are right in the thick of things as far as planning Art Unleashed goes. It will be held on Friday, August 28 in Hale Arena (the American Royal complex) from 7-10 pm. You can enjoy live and silent auctions of pet-themed artwork, all donated by local artists. Each piece is either original or limited-edition artwork so you know it’s special. Come enjoy the night’s festivities by purchasing your ticket early for $25 or $35 on the day of the event! If you want to reserve your own table of 8 (includes entry to the Patron Party at 6:15 pm and a food platter at your table) for $500, email Robin.

Go to www.artunleashedkc.org for more info on Art Unleashed and to purchase tickets. We would love to see you there.

We are searching for volunteers for Art Unleashed on Friday, August 28. If you love art and animals, then Art Unleashed is the place for you! We’ll need volunteers for all sorts of jobs: set up, take down, food servers, greeters, art/table monitors, assistants, and floaters. Volunteer shifts vary, but the typical Art Unleashed volunteer works 5-9:30 pm. We do have set up volunteer hours available on Thursday, August 27 from 10 am – 5 pm and Friday, August 28 from 9 am – 4 pm. Contact Jo if you want to help.

If you want to swing your clubs during our annual golf tournament on September 19 at Ironhorse Golf Club, please complete the registration form on our Golf Classic flyer. Volunteer Christine Salyer is organizing this year’s tournament and she says there are only a few more team spots left.