Lee County Humane Society

Woofstock 2008 Just Around the Corner

The date is set and we are making plans, join us September 13 for our 8th Annual Woofstock Celebration. Woofstock is billed as "A Day in the Park with Your Dog" and will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Woofstock is the largest attended fundraiser of the year for the Lee County Humane Society. With the event being held at Kiesel Park in Auburn there is plenty of room for quite a few people and their dogs.

Festivities for Woofstock this year include an expanded children’s fun area with balloon animals, an inflatable moonwalk and slide, and carnival games. Woofstock will also include many activities for furry friends including a Wash-N-Wag tent and dog agility course. 

Many Woofstock favorites will be there again including local K-9 demonstrations, and music from rising local artists. Pet merchandise vendors will also set up booths and sell their products at Woofstock.

This year there will be a special announcement made at 2 p.m. I have been involved with the Lee County Humane Society for over 20 years and this announcement will impact the animals of Lee County like nothing else we have done.  It is positive and proactive and is something I have only dreamed about for years. 

The LCHS serves the citizens of Auburn, Opelika and Lee County in the area of animal care and control. We care for lost and homeless animals and make every attempt to adopt as many as possible. As an open admission facility we do not turn away any animal as long as it is from our county.  This creates a situation where as many as 7000 animals annually arrive at our doors.

Pet overpopulation is a problem in Lee County.  We simply have more animals than there are homes to care for them. This makes the problem of pet overpopulation a community problem, not just a problem for the staff and supporters of the Lee County Humane Society.

Keeping that in mind, the announcement made at 2 p.m. on September 13 at Woofstock is huge. It will only become a reality with the support of many people who are not only animal people, but who care about our community.  

So mark September 13 on your calendar and be a part of the celebration, join us at Woofstock. The event is free but there will be plenty of win-win opportunities to support the animals at the Lee County Humane Society so please bring your checkbook.

The Humane Society Weekly Wish: We are in need of a push lawnmower in good condition. If you have one, we can come pick it up.  We also need the usual dry dog food too please.

Special Volunteers at the LCHS

A group of volunteers from Auburn United Methodist Church spent many hours this week cleaning the shelter and taking care of animals at the Lee County Humane Society.  

Participants in the church's mission camp, "Sweat Week" showed their compassion for the community by their hearts of service.  "I wanted to help serve the Lord, and shine His light," Emily Christopher said. 

Twenty-four 7^th through 12^th graders spent their time Monday-Wednesday washing dogs, caring for cats, and volunteering in many other ways around the shelter.  "I've been here in the past, and it's always a lot of fun.  I just want to show God's love," said Wheat Holt.  

Campers who attend "Sweat Week" not only spent their time at the shelter this week, but also served in many places throughout the Auburn community.  "The 150 kids in our youth group have the opportunity to minister through service," said Lauren Woods, group leader.  "It's important to show your joy for the Lord and "Sweat Week" gives the kids that chance," she added.  

The campers said they chose to work at the shelter because it's already a giving place for the community.  "We wanted to show the volunteers and people who work here God's love by helping them take care of the animals," Lauren said.

Wheat Holt (left) and Emily Christopher (right) pause from scrubbing the walls on the back halls at the shelter at the shelter.

A group of Sweat Week campers help give "Manny" a bath. 

Wash-n-Wag and the Auburn Dog Club

The Auburn Dog Club will join the Lee County Humane Society for another fun-filled Wash-N-Wag this Saturday from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at the shelter.  The Auburn Dog Club is a new group to the community who share a common love for their pets and service for the community. 

This is the second Wash-N-Wag that the Auburn Dog Club has been a part of, and the Lee County Humane Society encourages the community to join in the fun.  A bath for a small dog costs $5 and large dogs are only $10.  All Wash-N-Wag proceeds benefit the animals of the LCHS.  For more information about the Auburn Dog Club contact Melissa Weldon, mweldon@auburnalabama.org.

From the Muscogee County Humane Society

Pit bull terriers are the most prominent breed to be euthanized in our area due to overpopulation of the breed.  In order to help decrease the number of pit bulls being euthanized, the Muscogee County Humane Society will be spaying and neutering Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, and Pit Bull terrier mixes or Staffordshire terrier mixes for FREE during the month of July.

Appointments must be made and vaccinations must be current or owner will be financially responsible for the vaccinations being given.

If you do not have a dog of these breeds and would like to help, you can contact the office of the Muscogee County Humane Society about a sponsorship to help cover our cost to this concern at 706-563-3647 ext. 106.

Lee-Scott Students visit Shelter

Rising seniors from Lee-Scott Academy made a trip to the Lee County Humane Society as part of their summer philanthropy course on Wednesday, June 18. On their visit to the shelter, students had a question and answer session with Heather and spent the rest of their morning at the shelter cleaning cages and spending time with the animals.

Students participating in the philanthropy course are awarded an amount of money funded by the W. James Samford Foundation. Students spend their weeks in the course learning about different nonprofits in the community. They volunteer at these organizations, and at the end of the course they decide which organization they would like to donate their money to.

"I wanted to take the course because my friends who had taken it before said it would be the best experience, and my teachers encouraged me to take it," Clayton Harris said. Clayton said she had been to the shelter in the past to look at puppies, but never got to see the how it worked before. "This is our last week in the course, and I've learned a lot and met some really great people," Clayton added. The students were accompanied to the shelter by their instructors Christy Garner and Shron Hodges. "By offering this course, we hope to instill a heart of giving at a young age to the students," Christy Garner said.

Wash-n-Wag a Success

A special group of volunteers helped out with our Wash-n-Wag on Saturday.  Members of the Auburn Dog Club volunteered their time and helped our staff and core group of volunteers make our third Wash-N-Wag of the summer a success.  "The Auburn Dog Club is a new group to the community that invites animal lovers who are interested in socializing with other pet lovers and giving back to the community to be a part of our group, said Melissa Weldon, leader of the Auburn Dog Club.  Many members of the Auburn Dog Club own dogs adopted from the Lee County Humane Society or other shelters.  "We also want to help out and give back to the community and Wash-n-Wag was a great opportunity to do so," said Melissa.  Wash-n-Wags are held every other at the Lee County Humane Society.  Small dog cost $5 and large dogs cost $10 for a bubbly bath and some fun.  The next Wash-n-Wag will be Saturday, June 28.  "We had such a good time on Saturday, and our group definitely plans on being a part of more Wash-n-Wags in the future," said Melissa.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the following members of the Auburn Dog Club:

Susan Cotton

Emma Kate Cotton

Mary Lou Ewald

George Blanks

Melissa Weldon

Puppy Extravaganza Update

The Puppy Extravaganza on Saturday, June 6 led to a happy home for two of our puppies.  "We are hoping to increase the number of adoptions at our extravaganzas to match last year's success," said Becky Thomas, adoption coordinator.  Last year the extravaganzas averaged 10 adoptions per event.  "Attendance has been low at our extravaganzas so far this year, but I hope we can get the word out to increase adoptions," Becky said. The Puppy Extravaganzas are held every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot of the Lee County Humane Society.  Puppies are available for adoption at a reduced adoption fee of $60.  This fee includes microchipping, all vaccines except rabies, deworming, a bag of Science Diet dog food, coupons for Petco, a free vet visit and 30 day dog insurance.  Potential adopters should bring a record of their current pet(s)' vaccinations.  Any current pet(s) are required to have rabies vaccinations before an adoption can occur.  Potential adopters who rent their home should bring a copy of their lease and proof of their pet deposit.  "The extravaganzas are a good opportunity for adopters to see the puppies outside of regular adoption times during the week," said Becky.  The next Puppy Extravaganza will be Saturday, June 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Shelter Staffer, Kristie Turner, plays with Jackie, a female Jack Russell Terrier mix that is avaliable for adoption. 

Upcoming Events

June-
             7-   Puppy Adoption Extravaganza at the LCHS
             14- Wash-n-Wag Dog Wash at the LCHS
             21- Puppy Adoption Extravaganza at the LCHS
             28- Wash-n-Wag Dog Wash at the LCHS

July-
             5-  No Puppy Adoption Extravaganza (off for the Fourth of July)
             12- Wash-n-Wag Dog Wash at the LCHS
             19- Puppy Adoption Extravaganza at the LCHS
             26- Wash-n-Wag Dog Wash at the LCHS
Sept-
             13- Woofstock at Keisel Park in Auburn

Puppy Adoption Extravaganza

Join us this Saturday, May 11, as we feature a large selection of adorable puppies available for adoption. Our friendly staff and volunteers will be available on site to offer assistance to visitors.

• When: This Saturday between 9 a.m.- 12 noon
• Where: Parking lot of the Lee County Humane Society

Dancing for the LCHS

An article from the Opelika-Auburn News:

This week, Auburn Ballet will present two free performances, both for good causes benefitting the Lee County Humane Society and Orphanage Emmanuel in the Honduras.

During the first concert, the Children’s Division will present “A Carnival of the Animals for the Animals.”

The “Carnival” will be performed by a special group of dancers that range in age from 2 to 8 years-old and cope with various physical and mental limitations.

And it goes on to say:

If you Go

What: A Carnival of the Animals for the Animals

When: Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m.

Where: Auburn High School Auditorium

What: 2008 World Tour of Dance

When: Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m.

Where: Auburn High School Auditorium

Admission to the Carnival and the 2008 World Tour of Dance is free, but those in attendance are asked to bring a donation of a bag of cat litter, trash bags or laundry detergent

Those who attend the 2008 World Tour of Dance are asked to make a donation of a 50-pound bag of rice, 25-pound bag of beans and/or socks, underwear or other articles of clothing.